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ENGIxNEKU DEniiTMIlNT. I'. S. AllMV. 



PRELI^I INAIl Y RE FOllT 



A rvECOXNAISSANCE 



I ItliOlUH 



SOUTHERN AND SOUTH EASTEliN NEVADA. 



M^DIi; IN 18 GU, 



I'IKsr I.IKUT. CKii, M. \Vlli:i:Lli;K', Coia-s oi' Knginkkhs, 11. S. Ai:my, 

A^Sl-iTEl> ISV 

FIRST LlliUT. 1). W. l.urivWOOD, Coitrs uv Encinkkks, U. S. Aii.MV, 

INHKK IIU; l)lll>l':i!.s III- 



Biiitr. aK^f. K. o. c. oun, 

IIVI. MAI. OKX. U. S. AUMV, 
COMMANIUM; IlKIAIilMENT OK lAl.lKOUXI A. 



WASHINGTON: 

G O y K U N M I'. N T 1 ' K 1 X T 1 N G O »' 1' I C K 

1875. 



TABLE OF COX TENTS. 



Page 

Letter of transmittal 5 

General itinerary ' 

Description ot tlu' reeoiiuaissance 29 

Lon^itnde l>y telefjrapli -'O 

Sextant iustrouoiuieal observations 35 

Indians - •'>' 

Climate 37 

Minin;; districts 3P 

Heiijlit lit" inoiuiraiii-ran;; '8 38 

8npei loi liiiiii ii alii'nit. ■ f v. ;;i laiii^ii 39 

A-jii. hi i.ial la. . > 39 

Pn.lile ot ro:ids 41 

Towns and selllenieiiis ''3 

Odometer nieasnremenis 4' 

Meteorolojiieal observations ^^ 

Minerals ^'^ 

Kivers, creeks, and springs ^■^ 

Colorado Kiver •'^ 

Navifjation of the Colorado ™ 

Kio Virjjen ^' 

Timber ^"^ 

Game ^ 

Monntain-roads ■'" 

Cave in Cave Valley 

Konte taken by emi;i;rants tliron^li Death Valley '50 

Old Salt Lake road "Jl 

Mormon ronte, ltir>7 *'' 

Mips ''• 

iNarrow-jjan^e railways "- 

Wheeler's I'eak 'J- 

Lien tenant Loekwood's report .»,5^ "■^ 

Tables of distances .^^-^. t'9 

List of caul ps, with latitude, longifnde, altitude. Ac '- 



Office of the CniEF of Engineers, 

^y^l.•^}li>l(Jlon, T>. C, ^[<uch !», 1S7.1. 
Sir : Lieut. George M. Whcelei", Corps of Engineers, lias snbniittod a report eoiiceriiiiig a re- 
connaissance made by bim in 1809 iu parts of Soutberu and Soutbeastern Xevada. 

Tlie priiici[)al features of tbis re])()rt will be embodied in volume I of bis fortlieoming report of 
geographical t-xplorations and surveys west of tbe one liiin<lre(ltb meridian, to he printed under 
provisions of tbe act of Congress ni)i>rovcd Jnno 23, 1874. In order, bowever, tbat tbe report upon 
tbis recoiinaissanee may hf made availableat once, I would reronimend Miatonetbousand copies he 
luinted at tbe (lovcrnment Printing OCtice for tbe use of tbis oHice, upon tbe usual rcipdsilion. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

A. A. ITUMIMIUEVS, 

Brigudkr-Gcnernl and Vhitf of JJiitjinccrii. 
lion. Wm. W. Belknap, 

(SV'(rf^(»7/ ()/■ War. 
Ai)i>roved. 
I>y order of tbe Secietary of War, 

II. T. Ciinsin, Cliirf VUrk. 
Wai; Devartment, March 11, 1S7.">. 



T'NiTEB States Knginkki; (Mikk, 
CiEor.RAriiu'Ar, Exit.orations and Suuvkvs West of the KIOtu mertiiian, 

WashiiH/fon, J). C, Fvbruary IS, 1875. 
Genkuat, : I bave tbe honor to transndt herewilh a report eoueerning an engineer reccuinais- 
sance aeeomplisbed in 18(i'.i, under orders tiom the bead(piarters Department of California, and under 
my cbarge, in parts of Southern and Soutbeastern Nevada. 

It should be remarked that tbis report has been prei)ared at sueli intervals as press of other 
duties would allow, and that its i)rincii)al features will be endtwdied in volume I of the forthconnng 
report, in course of publication under provisions of act of Congress approved June 2.3, 1874. 

The map* aecoinpanyiug tbis report, while answering tbe ])urpos(^ for which it was published, 
is not at present of specifu- value, and has been replaced by the regidar atlas sheets. 
\'ery respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Brig. Gen. A. A. TTi'MPnREVS, 

Chief of F.iujinccrfs, I'niffd States Army, 

''S\;\\> not rf'pniilislioil. 



Geo. :M. "WnEEi.ER, 
Lieut, of KiKjinccrx, in charge. 



aE:N^ERA.L ITIISTER^^RY. 



ITnitki) States ENtii.MOKu ()i tick, 

IllOADl^UAUTKUS DEPARTJIENT OV CAI.IKOUNIA, 

ISan Francisco, Cut., January 21, 1S7(). 
To lirevct Colonel J. 1'. SuKHiu UNE, 

Annintant Adjutant General, Dep't of Cat., San Franri.sco, Cat. : 

SiK : I liiive the honor to make the follo\vin<;; i>rcliuiiuary report in reference, more p;nti(til;irly, 
to tlie military features contieeted with the reconnaissance through Southern Xovada, lately con- 
ducted under my charye, in which I was assisted by Lieut. 1). W. Lockwood, Corps of Eufiiiieci's, 
United States Army, tiiree ]>rofessional assistants, and two practiced soldiers, accompanied by an 
escort of tweiity-tive men of Company II, Eii;hth United States Cavalry, from Camp Ilallcck, 
Nevada. 

The concei»tioii of this reconnaissance having originated with the bre\et major-general com- 
manding the department, was communicated to the Chief of Engineers, and, meeting with his 
consent and approval, Si»ecial Order No. 94 was published, as follows : 

[Siiecial Orders, No. 94.] 

Hi:aiii;uai!Ti;i;s Di;cAiiiMi;xr ok C'ai.m ()i;xm. 

Sun I'lonawo, .June 7, lr'(i!t. 
liy iiiitluirity from lieadciiuirlers .Military llivisiiiii of tbc; I'ai-ilic, Lii'iit. Gi-orge M. Wlieeli-r, I'liitod Stales 
Kiiyineors, will proceed with liis civil a.sslstaiits and tliree eiilLsted iiieu to cither C'ainiis Halleck or Ruby, Nevada, ami 
having been joined by Lieut. D. W. Lockvvocxl, United .States Engineers, now en ionic via Fort Cliiirchill, will 
there organize a party, to consist of two uon-coniniissioucd officers and tweuty-thrce enlisted men, (cavalry, or infantry 
nionnteil,) siicb drivers, packers, and guides as may be reiiuired; e<|iiip them with the necessary, full, and completeoiit- 
llt, as far as the resources of the posts will enable him so to do ; after which he will proceed, via the White I'Ine district, 
to make a tlioroiigh and carefnl reconnaissance of the district of country to the south and east of White I'ine, cxteinling 
his reconnals.sance. If practicable, as far as the head of navigation on the Colorado Kivcr, with a view of opening a road 
thereto from the White I'lne or (Jraiit district, of (detaining correct data for a military map of the country, and for the 
selcetimi of the site or sites for such military post or posts to cover the mining country south and east of White 
I'ine from hostile Indians, as may be re([uired. Such explorations and examinations as may will be made In reference 
to the physical gfograpliy of the country, its resources iu wood, water, agricuUur.il or mlmral productions. 

The character, habits, ami nunilx'rs of Indian tribes, and tluir ilisposition toward settlers ami miners, will lie sub- 
jects for investigations. 

Upon his return, he will make a detailed repiut upou the results of the cxpeditiiui, accoiupauied by a map and 
subreports of ;i.ssistants. 

By commaud of Brevet Major-Geueral Ctrd : 

John p. Siii:i;mi!NE, 
Amiiutant Adjuliinl-Oeneial. 

Having caivfully made liie necessary prcliiniiiaiy aiiaii;^i'iiiculs,.Jiine I'J found us icady to lake 

the field. 

It having become necessary to forward traiispDitalion tiom Fort Clnirchill, Nev.. toCam|) Itiihy, 
Nev., Lieutenant Lockwood was obliged to leave late iti ^lay, as ho would have to make lioin the 
former point a march of about nine days on the old overland road. 

Camp Halleck was reached on the morning of the 1.5th, and it was found that few necessary 
arrangemenls had been coiiii)lcled for littiiig out the e.\i>edition for so long aiul diHicult a trii». It 
was necessary, therefore, to remain .several days in this vicinity, which proved of no considerable 
ultimate delay, as the survey of a hay reservation for the post was rc(|tiired. 

Careful .sets of astronomical and meteorological ob.servations were taken to test our instrumeutsi 



8 

ami to put tlieiu ami omselvi's in workiiig-oider; besides, a line was: carefully nui to I'eko, the nearest 
telegrai)listatiou at that time, (since then a mnv location, called Halleck Station, has been made 
more nearly opposite Camp Halleck and more accessible than Peko,) from which longitude by tele- 
graph was to be determined. 

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Lockwood, having reached Ruby Avith wagons and mules, came at once 
to Halleck. Finally, on the evening of the 2Gth of June, everything was ready for departure. 

Instructions from the t31iiefof Engineers were to the eft'ect that, in consequence of the geologi- 
cal survey in charge of Clarence King, it would not be necessary to delay on account of details, 
until about the latitude of White Pine was reached; but as it was thought best to carefully fix the- 
positions of as many points as possible, and among them t'amp Halleck, as well as also to perfect 
methods, it was considered advisable to go first to Elko, thence to Peko, on the Central Pacific Rail" 
road, as the Humboldt opi)Osite the latter place was at the time uufordable, obtaining in this way 
longitudinal position for these points as well as Halleck. This duty was completed on the evening 
of the .id of .luly. Leaving Camp Halleck on the morning of the 4th, and following the ui)per or 
(lilsen stage-road to White Pine, until the old overland road was met, and following it through 
Hastings Pass, Camp Ruby was reached on the evening of the 7tli of July. 

Here, again, the necessitic^s of a few final prejiarations obliged us to remain four or fiv(^ days, 
which interval was employed in nnddng careful sets of observations, and in again telegraphing for 
longitude. At last, on the morning of the 13th of July, everything was ready for the march; the 
train consisting of 30 persons, 8 wagons, 4S mules, and 31 horses. 

Taking the line of the telegraph-road. Long Valley was traversed, and a camp about three miles 
eastward of Hamilton, White Pine district, Nevada, was made on the Kith. Prom this point 
wagons were sent back to Camp Ruby for barley and further amounts of commissary stores. At 
and around this point more careful topogia|)hy was taken. Telegrai)hing for longitude was also 
carried on with excellent success, the error of the chronometers obtained, and also their rate up to 
tills time. Thanks are due to Maj. H. M. Robert, Corps of Engineers, who very kindly took in 
hand the direction of the chronometric signals received at tSan Francisco. Capt. H. F. Rodgers, 
United States Coast Survey, also very obligingly lent his assistance; while Mr. Thos. Tennent fur- 
nished the chronometers, and the Western Union Telegraph Company (to which es[)ecial thanks are 
due,) furnished the use of its lines and the necessary telegraphic facilities. 

WHITE I'INE DISTIUC'T. 

This district at this riinc^ had been so much written about and so frecpiently visited that its 
general features were well understotxl. The excitement of the fall of 18(jS and succeeding winter 
was so much greater than the size and richness of the place demanded, that the consequent reaction 
had caused great distress among the working classes, and the streets of Hamilton were thronged 
witli hardy miners and rough mountain-men, without anything to do and without money. Subse- 
(picntly, upon returning to this vicinity, most of the people had departed, working their way toward 
Arizona. It cannot be expected that any one district will exhibit more than three or four princii>al 
leads, and it' these prove to b(! fissure veins with yielding ores, permanence is considered certain, 
and the facilities i)roduced by time and capital determine the result. During my stay in White Pine 
I saw nothing that could be called a fissure vein, although the mother lead, from which the various 
deposits seemed as but .segregations, is pretty certain to exist. The base-metal range has a great 
mineral showing of low-grade smelting ore, and reduction works wcsre in progress in November, 
IStiO. This camp may be made, to a certain extent, the nucleus of supi)ly to remote interior min- 
ing points. 

The necessary gniib's, packers, ^-c, having been obtained, a march to the eastward was made, 
and thence the reconnaissance carried to the south, along a meridian somewhat to the east of ^Vhite 
I'ine ; as to the south, so far as the Colorado, the whole of Southern Nevada was virtually unex- 
plored or mapped. Therefore by (-onducting the topographical search as far to the east as the Utah 
line, and returning, if possible, on a more westerly liiu', the greater if not the best parts of South- 
ern Nevada could be examined. Subsequent results show the route to have been well selected. 

Camp was broken on the morning of the 31st of July, and a inarch made toward Steptoo 



Valley, the wagons following a wagon-road to the Robinson District for the first day's march of 
twelve miles. The country is comparatively well watered, and grazing in sufficient abundance. 
The next day took us directly across Sierra Valley, to a place called 8uuiinit Station, in the foot- 
hills of the Egan range, scantily supplied with bunch-grass, and water comiug from a little si)riiig, 
some two miles to the northward. The road froui tliis point to Mineral City, Kobiuson District, a 
distance of fourteen miles, was good and hard, so that in this day's march a camp is nmdo on 
Murray's Creek, on east slope of Egan range, liowing into Steptoe Valley, which at this point shows 
a strip of laud fit for cultivation. Tiiis valk-y extentls to the southward from Murray's Creek, a 
distance of nearly thirty-live miles, while curreut report indicates tiiat the same or contiguous val" 
leys reach to the Central Pacific Railroad, with insensible divides, touching the same at a point 
about thirty miles east of Humboldt Wells, or near Toano. It is reasonable to suppo.se that such is 
the case with this and Spring Valley, the next valley to the eastward. If so, the railroad can be 
tapped with good success, and country roads, nearly due north and south, may be constructed on 
either Hue. Murray's Creek lies some six miles below Flcrcules Gate, a point on Simpson's route 
1858-'59. Remaining at this camp for three or four days to take careful observations and topog- 
raphy, a chance was given for a hasty examination of the mines in the 



which is twenty miles long by six in width, lying on either side of the gorge in the Egan range, 
through which a natural road leads into Steptoe Valley. This camp presents remarkable natural 
facilities for the mining and milling of ores. Water and wood arc in abundance and in clo.se prox- 
imity to the prominent leads. Lumber in immense quantities can be procured along tlie eastern 
slope of the mountains, from eight to fourteen miles to the south, while tiie hills in which tlie mines 
lie are covered for the most part with a thick growth of nut-pine and mountain-cedar. Agricul- 
tural products can be obtained from ranches in Steptoe Valley. The ores are princii)ally base, 
showing large proportions of lead and copper. A ])roportiou of these alone would permit of work- 
ing by the ordinary wet process, while others require roasting and others again must be smelted. 
The deposits are plenty and have more the appearance of deposits than well-defined veins, oc- 
curring in dolomitic limestone, much disturbed. But few developments had beeu made, and it is 
not impossible that after reaching a moderate depth permanence of the veins may be secured, and, 
if so, upon further opening up of tlie country, it is not unlikely that large amounts of bullion can be 
profitably produced from this locality. 

Leaving camp on the morning of the 6th of August the foot-hills of the western side of Step- 
toe Valley are followed to a place called Ice Creek, quite seventeen miles. To our left, during the 
day, several hay -ranches were passed, mostly situated on Ste|)t()e Creek, rising in the Scliell Creek 
range. Tbe crop of grass is abundant; bunch-grass is also good and in large quantity iu the hills. 
To our right fine patches of timber are .seen iu the distance, often reaching almost to the tops of tlie 
highest peaks of the Egan range. I'ine and fir furnish all the kinds of hiinbcr found in the.si- hills; 
there is, however, an unlimited supply, but unfortunately situated with refen'uce to water, as are 
most all places found at high altitudes in the monntains, and below the latitude of White IMne. 

Only small springs are met with, and these do not always contain good water, except where 
they act as reservoirs for the melting snows. Steptoe Creek sinks in the middle of the valley, 
as is common with most streams in these semi-desert localities. Nearly oi)posite camp is the Nevada 
Miniug District, not visited for want of time. In the sanie range, to the northward, is another 
small district. 

Ou the morning of the 9th camp is broken, and passing a low divide. Cave Valley, haviug the 
same general .southern trend, is reached and followed to a h)cality opposite the Patterson Mining 
District near a cave of local fame, supposed to be quite extensive and wonderful. This camji is in 
a very lovely basin, with the sharp, steep peaks of the Schell Creek .Mountains to the east, while 
the Egan range, with broken and rolling bilks, lies to the westward. Wagons were sent back to 
Hamilton to take forage and supi>lies along the more westerly line for our return ; meanwhile parties 
went out to the north and eastward. A secure and pleasant camp was made; also arrangements to 
2 W 



10 

collect all possible data previous to encountering a more difficult country to the south. The march 
to this point from Ice Creek was 28f miles, over a flue mountain-road, with no water available till 
within two miles of the camp. 

TRIP TO PREXJSS LAKE AND RETURN. 

Upon the latest published map of Xevada consulted, (Holt's map,) a lake of consider.able size, 
called Preuss Lake, is put down as cut by the eastern boundary of the State. It was determined 
to send a small party to find out this locality and return to the camp at the cave. Accordingly, on 
the morning of the IJrth, with an escort of ten men, a start is made, and passing through the break 
of the mountains where lies situate the little places known as Montezuma and Springville, belong- 
ing to the Patterson District, Duck Lake Valley is reached, and bearing along its northwest side, 
after a march of fifteen miles, a camp made at Benson's Creek. Here is good grazing, and a 
tract of arable land. Have passed a lake of small size, filled with innumerable duck, comprising 
most of the game so far encountered; large game very scarce, only an occasional deer aud antelope 
seen, and these at long distances. As for small game there is but little ; along the foot hills now 
and then a few sage-hens and jack -rabbits are encountered ; higher up, and wherever timber is 
found, grouse appear in occasional flocks. The next day a low divide is crossed into Spring Valley, 
which, like its mate, (Steptoe Valley,) continues, it is said, to the railroad direct, with only low 
divides between almost continuous depressions. A march of over twenty miles leads to a camp 
opposite Jeft' Davis Peak, near the Shoshone Mining District. Camp is made at a small creek with 
pure and clear water, near ranches that have sprung up in conjunction with the mining camp. 
Bunch-grass abounds; hay is plenty in the immediate neighborhood, and three or four thousand 
acres of cultivatable land await the settler. 

SHOSHONE DISTRICT. 

A few hours are taken for a hasty glance at these mines while the party is moving on. This 
is done in company with Mr. A. F. White, acting State Geologist of Nevada, who met us in this 
vicinity, having been our companion at the Cave for a few days. It is not proposed to enter into 
any detail witli regard to mines in this i-eport, as their bearing upon roads aud means of commu- 
nication, whether military or civil, is very slight at present, and as their undeveloped state is so general. 

The mines are on the western slope of the Snake range, aud exposed in a rough break in 
the side of the mountains, down which a large wash of sand has accumulated, making a ramp to 
bring one up nearer to the level of the mines. The leads seem wide and well defined, free, 
also, in a great measure, from the base metals, and ought to work well by the ordinary wet process. 
There is certainly a good showing for the extraction of a large amount of ore, most of which is 
likely to be of low grade. But few miners were at work at the time of our visit. Water iu the 
near vicinity of the mines is scarce ; being enough for the necessities of the camp. The creek, 
near which the camp was made the night before, affords a good site for mills. Fuel abundant ; 
lumber to be obtained some eight or ten miles higher up on the same range. The party had gone 
into camp ; some springs of bad alkaline water. Before night fourteen rattlesnakes had been killed, 
and it was thought not inappropriate to name this place " Rattlesnake Springs." Furtlier acquaint- 
auce with the locality proved that it was well to leave a warning in the name for the future traveler. 

From this point, the ascent of the mountain known as " Jeff Davis Peak," and considered the 
highest point between the Sierra Nevada aud Kocky Mountain range is made. The summit reached 
by the moonlight, and a descent to the line of vegetation, where the rest of the men with the pack 
animals were in camp, is made therefrom. An early start in the morning brought us to the top at 
8.30 a. m., and observations for latitude and longitude were taken, the barometer-observations 
showing an altitude of at least 13,000 feet. The descent was more rapid, but not easy, and night 
found us back at camp completely exhausted. Tbe next day a march of twenty-three miles is made 
to Sacramento District, in a pass of the 8iuike range. 

The road all along Spring Valley had been a rude track, lately made by the prospectors of the 

region. Pure water is found in this mountain-pass. Some little fuel of scant cedar and nut-pine. 

^ Generally speaking, the water so far in our course has been found far better.iu quality and more 



11 

frequent in place and quantity than had been anticipated. There are only a few places that have 
bet'n at all iilUalinc or iiiiiioral. This advantage will prove a great one as travel is directed to any 
points along the eastoiu ijorder of the State. 

SACRA5IENTO DISTRICT. 

This district is situated in Kod Canon Pass of the Snake range, and exposes to view, on the 
southern side, the mines that had attracted, at our coming, a i'ew miners. The products are both 
silver and gold, found witliin a limited compass, and in continuation of the mineral belt to the 
northward of Shoshone, and which seems to follow several distinct mountain-chains tbrough Nevada. 
The eastern limit shows slate. No present developments indicate a certainty of large mineral 
products, yet the average assays have been good, and tlie ore is easily mined. Chloride of silver 
appears in a higldy (-rystalized spar, so near approaching quartz in hardness, texture, and a|)[)ear- 
ance that it is hardly possible to distinguish ; however, I believe that, so far, no chlorides have 
been found in a highly siliceous matrix. 

The facilities for the benetit of a good mining-camp are favorable. Water sufficient, wood 
enough for fuel, lumber in limited quantities in the mountains, at not too great distances. Both 
Spring and Snake Valleys, in the vicinity, arc favorable for the production of the various farm - 
su[)plies necessary for sustenance. It is not unlikely that one, or two at k-ast, good leads or deposits 
will be found. 

So far, our intercourse with the Indians had been limited, appearances indicating that in many 
Instances they have fled at our approach. The Shoshones and Gosiutes, in whose country the route 
had so far lain, have, in years gone bj", suttered greatly «L the hands of the United States troops, 
and our guide and interpreter was known to them personally, and the word having been passed 
along the lines, they had silently taken their departure prior to our coming. Tins was in- 
dicateil in two or three instances by the sight of deserted wick-e-ups, and it appears as a well-attested 
fact that tliej' have a great terror of the soldiers. 

Emerging from the pass, near Sacramento District, Snake Valley is entered, and here are 
encountered some of the Snake Indians, who arc in tiio habit of occupying the valley in iilauting 
and harvesting sesuson, raising scanty crops, which they cache for the winter use, and then retire to 
the mountains. Altogether, we have found some two hundred of these Indians, whose chief, 
lllaekhawk, is a shrewd and calculating Indian, undoubtedly of a character superior to the 
average. These Indians had never received annuities from any source, and hail always, according 
to their own story, been peaceable and friendly to the whites. Some ^lornious had farmed a ranch 
near them, about the center of the valley, but they had never brought anything from the Mormon 
side. Furtlier insight into the Indian affairs in Southern Nevada leads me to suppose that but 
little care has been bestowed upon the manner in which the Indians receive annuities or benefits 
from Government. To be sure, scarcely anything has been known of the number, character, or 
habits of many of these Indians, who are quite numerous. Yet, in the case of the Indians on the 
Muddy, who are living on the line of a mail-road, and have done so for years, up to the time of our 
arrival no such person as an Indian agent was known to them. I understand that lately a sub- 
agent has been sent to this particular locality. The most of these Indians, -in case they were placed 
upon a reservation, could support themselves readily, and would be entirely peaceable and easily 
managed. 

The second day's march down Snake Valley leads to Snake Creek, at a point that proves to 
be within half a mile of the Utaii line. It had been my intention not to cross tiiis line, as it not 
only carried me out of the military division of the Pacific, bnt also out of any proposed or supposed 
north and south line of communication to the Colorado. However, a piirt of this detour-trip was 
for the purpose of finding Preuss Lake, whicii it still appeared to be of some satisfaction to attempt. 

On the afternoon of the 2d August, a start was made, and next day at 5 p. m. Hawawaii 
Springs, in sight of the lake, was reached. The next day brought us to its shores to receive only 
a disappointment on finding it both salt and brackish to an extreme degree. A night march to the 
camp at llawawah Springs was made, and after three days forced marching the more permanent 
camp in Cave Valley. Our return was upon a rough desert road, made by the Mormons in 1857, 



12 

when they were looking for places of refngc in case that our troops molested the quietude of their 
mountain villages. Upon reaching the old camp, observations were repeated for time, which gave 
good results in determining the rate of the chronometers, which were found to have been running 
with great regularity. 

PATTERSON DISTRICT, 

Lying in a natural pass ot the Schell Creek range, was discovered by parties driving cattle through 
from Southern Utah to the vicinity of mining camps in and around Austin and Belmont. Noth- 
ing was done, however, till the spring of 1SC9, when a little excitement sprung up. The 
showing of mineral appears upon the northern side of the pass, the leads having the general 
northern and southern trend so noticeable in most localities visited during the trip. A slight 
examination of these mines was made, and the general impressions derived were quite favorable. 
The leads are found mostly in limestone. The country rock is much disturbed, and in consequence, 
until some deep developments are made, there appears no absolute certainty of finding a well- 
defined fissure-vein, although one particular lode, the " Gray Eagle," has the outward appearance 
of being the mother vein. There is a great absence of the base metals, and the ores will, in almost 
every instance, work freely. Water is scarce on the western side of the summit of the pass, and 
nearest to the best mines. Wood for fuel is in sufficiency, and lumber to be found on the eastern 
slope of the range at a distance of seven or eight miles to the north. 

There is a sad lack of capital at this as well as most other of these remote mining locations 
which want, coupled with remoteness, are serious drawbacks that now hold in al)eyance the develop- 
ment of a vast amount of mineral wealth in Southern Nevada. 

The animals and men having recuperated, on the morning of the 1st September, camp was 
broken for a start into a region comparatively unknown, and about which but little information 
could be gleaned from either Indians or white men. The long marches both by night and day, 
joined with constant labor, have been considered slight in comparison with the hardships expected 
from climate and desert in our further progress to the Colorado. 

Lieutenant Lockwood was detached at this point, and sent with a small party with orders to 
conduct his march via Pahranagat Valley, and reach some of the settlements on the Muddy. 
This proved to be the most direct line to the southward. I was led to believe that by going still 
farther to the east, a better route in regard to grass and water could be found for the train. 
Ultimate results showed that this idea was a false one, although either route would have been 
diflicult for a number of wagons heavily laden — the nature of the road, the distances apart of the 
watering places, and chances for grazing being in advance uncertain. 

Passing to the eastern slope of the Schell Creek Mountains, ttirough Patterson, the road leads 
along the foot-hills to the Ely Mining District, some ten or twelve miles above the head of Meadow 
Valley, with only one spring of water intervening, and a stretch of fortj"-five to fifty miles of com- 
parative desert. It was reported that Mormons were living to the east of the next range, named 
Fortification Kauge, and by crossing over into the chain of valleys so settled that a good road could 
be found well supplied with grass and water, upon which, by detouring a little, we could reach the 
settlement at Meadow Valley. I was greatly desirous of continuing the topography as far as the 
eastern line of the State, and this would give the opportunity ; moreover, we were all very curious 
to see as much as possible of tiie Mormons and their settlements. Our experience in taking this 
route was a sad one, but the extra amount of topographical and other information gained more than 
repaid. Crossing Duck Lake Valley, we came to the pass in the Fortification Range, and for four or 
five days labored faithfully to cross. This was calletl Pioneer Caiion, an appropriate name, as we 
were all pioneers during its passage. Most of the wagons were upset while going through this 
canon, although all i)ossible care was taken, and everybody was at work from sun to sun. The 
escort behaved remarkably well, showing a great deal of energy and endurance, both of which 
qualities afterwards, in several instances, were called for, and at all times they did their duty faith- 

NoTE. — The locality reached was determined in 1872 to be the southern shore of Sevier Lake the reservoir of the 
water coming from the Sevier River. Hence Preuss Lake is hypothetical. The vallej- lying to the eastward of the 
Hawawah range, in which occurs an alkaline flat evidently overflown by water from Sevier Lake during seasons of 
great freshet, has been called " Preuss Valley " upon the atlas-sheeta to jierpetaate the name of this most excellent 
topographer connected with FriSmout's expedition. 



13 

fully. On the summit of the Pass, as indeed on every summit snfficiently high, encountered in onr 
travels, as far ;is the eye could reach in all diivctions, one sees only chain after chain of mountains 
in every variety of contour, hiding from view valley after valley, found to exist only after a nearer 
approach. Descending the gi-ade, a ravine is followed for four or five miles, where a camp is made 
for the night. Tlie next tlay's march commenced througli dense cedars reaching far into the foot- 
hills of the luirthern end of a valley known by the Mormons as Spring Valley, and named Cedar 
VaUey, when it was found that it came within the limits of ^^evada. After a march of seventeen or 
eigliteen miles, the first Jlormou settlement is reached, a little place called llomer, built in the shape 
of a fort, and settled with a number of people of the Mormon persuasion. The coming of so large 
a party, with several wagons and numerous animals, stirred up quite a commotion among these 
people nestled among the mountains, who are unaccustomed to seeing a strange face except at 
rare intervals. 

These outer settlements liave been formed from time to time when the excess of population 
crowds them farther and farther away from the central point, Salt Lake (Jity. The one above 
mentioned is among the most remote and inaccessible, situated, however, in a fine mountain 
valley, containing a limited amount of good land. We made a call upon the Bishop, or acting 
business man of the colony, and were well received. Some knowledge was gleaned as to their 
character and habits in that and also at other settlements. 

In Sju-ing or Cedar Valley is the source of a creek known, for the greater part of its course, as 
i\leadow Creek, that flows through Eagle, Kose, Dry, and Kouud Valleys to Meadow N'alley, often 
through tortuous canons, but traceable in all cases. Following down Meadow Valley, these waters 
pass through a very diflicult canon, known as Jleadow Valley Cafiou, and thence through Long 
A'alley, until within about thirty -fixe miles of the Muddy Kiver, when they sink to rise again within 
twelve miles <bf the above river, and flowing for a little ilistance, are lost again in the sandy wash, 
and do not re-appear. Without doubt this water must come into the Muddy before the latter 
reaches the Virgin, showing in reality the Meadow Creek to be the eastern branch, and that ijuite 
a section to the northeast of Pahranagat lies in the basin of the Colorado, instead of the Great 
Interior, or Salt Lake Basin. Where this water comes out, its temi)erature is quite warm, reach- 
ing as high as 76° Fahreidieit; similar waters are found in Pahranagat Valley, that also flow 
eventually into the Muddy, through a subterranean source or transit for these waters. 

The canon leading directly from Cedar to Eagle Valley was not passable for any except horse- 
men; coivsequently a detour, first to the south and east, and then south and west, was made, 
bringing us to the place after a march of fourteen miles. 

This is a little valley entirely surrounded by blutl' mesas, and uot distant mountain-peaks, and 
appears as if by magic, as one emerges from the steep walled canon, thickly studded on either side 
with cedars leading to it from the east. In the mountains there is an abundance of fire-wood on the 
mountain-sides, but uot always near the places most eligible for settlement. Timber is, however, 
verj- scarce. Eagle Valley produces fine crops, which were in full growth at our arrival. The hay- 
makers were at work, and the extreme picturesqueness of the scene brought great relief to the eye, 
accustomed to^ok ahead day after day, with rough mountain-peaks in advance and only the calcu- 
lations of the imagination to estimate the decrease in distance from them. We have been traveling, 
as it were, in the dark since leaving our camp in Cave Valley. Our guide had never been over this 
l>art of the route up to this jjoint. The Indians and Mormons were both taciturn as regards iuforma- 
tion. The day's march was continued, and night found us at a little valley some two miles in length, 
called liose Valley, full of stock, and completely hemmed in, a little basin in the mountains. 

Our marches have been tedious to both men and animals, as the wagons were heavily laden. 
The roads, at some points, were very rough and winding, niakiug distances seemingly great. It 
was thought best to let the animals remain for twenty-four hours, as the grazing was good. Only a 
few Mormon ranchmen in this valley. 

The amount of laiul in the three valleys mentioned will not exceed 2,.")(t0 acres, if it were culti- 
vated to its greatest limits, and at least half of this is only fit for grazing and hay. 

The soft, saccharine bunch-grass, so valuable for the animals, is still found on the foot-hills, and 
in many cases extends high in altitude. 

The topographical parties continue on, winding through Dry Valley ; then detouring, first to 



14 

the southeast, then southwest, Meadow Valley is reached after a march of eighteen miles over a very 
good mouutiiin road. 

I had remained at the camp in Rose Valley to take observations till 2 p. m., and then rode 
rapidly forward, joining the camp at a large warm spring, about a mile above Panacea — the Mor- 
mon settlement in Meadow Valley. 

At all times, when near the Utah boundary, greater care has been taken in the astronomical, 
observations, as it soon became apparent to me that quite a large number of settlements, supposed 
by the Mormons and every one else to be in Utah, would prove to be iu Nevada. The present recon- 
naissance determines beyond a doubt that seven or eight settlements, varyiugin size from one hun- 
dred to five or sis hundred souls, will come within the Nevada Hue. 

The next day the Meadow Valley mines, (Ely Miniug District,) were visited, with only a small 
party and a scarcity of time, as great delay had been experienced in passing Pioneer Caiion, and had 
still before ns one of the hardest marches in the country before reaching the Muddy, which point 
it was desirable to gain by the 15th, as at that time the rations of Lieutenant Lockwood's party 
would be exhausted ; and on the morning of the 9th September, we are only at the 



ELY MINING DISTRICT 



which is situated among the high and broken foot-hills of the Schell Ci'eek range, at the head of 
Meadow Valley, to the northwest of the settlement, and aljout twelve miles distant. I was told by 
Mormons in Panacea tbat these mines bad beeu known for a long time to them, but that neither 
their church doctrines nor their habits had encouraged the development of mining enterprise. They 
were located by a scouting party sent out by General Connor from Camp Douglas, some years ago, 
but were never worked till afterwards located by prospectors, among whom was Mr. Ely, from 
whence the name. A San Francisco company have started work upon some of the locations, appar- 
ently on quite a large scale, while Mr. Ely and some others were engaged in developments of many 
of the leads. The slight examination made of these mines left a very favorable impression upon 
my mind as regards their extent, permanence, and richness. The country in close proximity is 
very rough, from irregularities of rock structure and erosion, aud covered in great part 
by nut-pine aud cedar. No water withiu six or seven miles, except a small spring, affording 
but a few gallons daily; but to the westward, and at the distance above mentioned, is a flue spring 
running at its minimum eight inches of water, and, at certain seasons, as high as from thii ty to 
thirty-five inches. This can easily be brought to the immediate vicinity of the mines. The bulk of 
the ore is argentiferous galena, intermingled, however, with both lead aud silver in other forms. 
The Pioche is one of the principal mines, and judging from the showiug, is a part of the mother 
vein of the district. A shaft has been sunk to a distance of forty-five feet, showing a wide vein of 
ore with well defined walls, which is undoubtedly a true fissure. 

A return by night is made to our camp, which has beeu changed to a spring three miles below 
Panacea, which is reached a little after midnight. Every one is in camp, except two men absent 
after stock. So far only two animals have been lost, but strenuous aud continuous exertions have 
been necessary to keep them from straying away or being stolen. The Indians especially are fond 
of such games. 

We are now in the country of the Pah-utes, but they also keep away from our sight. The old 
Indian, Adabe, who had accompanied us to Preuss Lake and return, also to Spring Valley, was 
sent from the latter place after stock, and has not shown himself since. This has caused some 
little uneasiness, as the character of the Indians following our march to the Muddy is known to be 
treacherous, aud tiiis fellow has been at one time the captain of froui two to three hundred of them. 
Most of the Pah-utes profess to be friendly to the whites, but they will steal and lie, like all true 
Indians, to a fearful extent. The Mormons stand iu considerable awe of them, and treat them 
very well, giving them a great deal to eat. We learn of the massacre of two men iu the canon 
below by Indians within twenty days of our arrival, aud the place is not looked upon as safe for 
parties of two or three men. We remained in this camp over one day, as all of the professional 
members of the expediftou were sadly worn out. 

All reports were unfavorable with regard to a route leading to the Muddy. The shortest line 



15 

would be to follow the waters of Meadow Creek, and tlie wasbes below the main cation should at 
last briiifj us to the desired point. The distance on this roiite would have been about ninety-live 
miles. A road leads from Panacea to Hyko, and from tiieiu'e to settlements on the Muddy, a dis- 
tance of one hundred and fifty miles. Again, by detouring to Clover Valley, a little to the east, 
and coming into the same wash below ]\Ieadow Cafion, the above point could be reached in about 
one hundred and ten miles. None of these routes seemed especial)}' pleasing. It was only neces- 
sary to select the one productive of the best results. The Mormons said, " Go by the canon." This 
would have been the shortest route, but in my own mind I had concluded that the heavy army 
wagons, with large loads, could never go through a canon having here aiul there quicksands, and 
the whole surface, for the greater part, covered with water. Accordingly, it was considered best to 
detour by way of Clover Valley. Although this proved a sorry route — almost as good as imprac- 
ticable — yet we afterwards learned from good autliority that it would have been impossible on 
account of the miry places to have taken the train through the canon. 

On the morning of the 11th September a start was made to continue the route to the south- 
ward, but, mistaking the road, one was followed down the valley. We were stopped at the mouth 
of the canon, some of the wagons having mired, and finding out that we were on the wrong track 
for Clover Valley, had nothing left us but to return to the old camp, not a little disappointed. We 
encountered an old Mormon gathering hay near the head of the cahon, and having had experience 
with a light wagon through the canon, told us that, in his opinion, it was impassable for us. This 
only conlirnicd i)reconceived ideas. 

The succeeding day we got fairly off, and continued the march for thirty miles, coming in at 
night to another little mountain valley, having passed over rolling country, i)rincipally covered 
with nnt-i)ine and cedar ; road good, but very crooked. The wash from this valley entiTs Meadow 
Creek Canon, and therefore how far to the northeast of this position the dividing line of the great 
interior basin. from that of the Colorado passes, it is somewhat difficult to say. However, it is 
judged not to be very far distant. Clover Valley is a small Mormon settlement, comprising some 
seven or eight hundred acres of arable land. 

The next day we followed a wash leading to the southeast ; which followed higher up to the foot- 
hills, develops some fine timber-patches — this at a distance of seven or eight miles from wliere we 
left the ravine. There is a small saw-mill at this place that furnishes timber for all the outer 
Mormon settlements, sending some as far to the south and west as the settlements on the Muddy. 
This is the only patch of large and fine pine timber for a radius of fifty miles. In fact, such areas 
are seldom found in the section of the State traversed. 

From Clover Valley a rough and tortuous road is followed to a summit, descending from which 
a large wash joining Meadow Valley Creek below the canon is entered. N^o laden wagons had ever 
passed thntugh this ravine, and ni)on fairly getting into it, I began to desjjair of ever bringing the 
train through. At noon the wagons had just begun to descend ; at G p. m. they had only succeeded 
in gaining two miles. Meanwhile every one in the party was hard at work making a road. Some 
of the advance parties, by accident, found two or three little water-holes some four or five miles 
distant from the summit, and the animals are driven to this point, but get only a small allowance. 
A little bunch-grass is found nearly one mile from this place. Appearances indicate that bunch- 
grass is disappearing, as also everything in the shape of vegetation — a sure .sign of a near approach 
to the Colorado Desert. 

The next morning pioneering is again commenced, and continued until nightfall, when the 
wagons reach the little water-holes mentioned, which, b careful cleaning out, have, by the next 
morning, gathered nearly enough water for all the animals, that are now every hour getting worse 
fagged and worn. The surveying party pushed ahead, and late at night suciiceded in threading 
out the labyrinth, which will be called Clover \'alley (Janon, and made camp upon Meadow Creek 
at the point where it comes out from a steep canon. The whole ca.se was taken into consideration, 
aiul the conclusion arrived at that the horses and nuiles, in their worn condition, with hardly any 
grass and infrequent supplies of water, would not be able to get through to the settlements on the 
Muddy without losing many valuable animals. Accordingly, in company with Mr. Wm. .M. Ord, a 
start was made to reach those settlements, hardly knowing the distance, the dangers, or necessities 



16 

of the march. This was at 2 p. m. of the 14th of September. "We traveled till 4 a. m. the next 
morning down a sandy wash, with almost iierpendicular walls of rock and sand conglomerate on 
either side, without reaching any water, as Meadow Creek had sunk about three miles below our 
camp, in a wideuing out of the wash, called Long Valley. 

It was then concluded best to take a little sleep until the day might break. Meanwhile our 
horses made a hearty meal of the surrounding canes. During the day willows with pods and 
blossoms were seen along the wash, quite different from any before noticed; also, one wildcat. 
At night two horned rattlesnakes were met with, which, with their incessant rattling, moved off in 
a lateral direction at our approach — not pleasant friends to encounter in so dreary a locality. The 
mountain-quail are noticed in this wash for the first time during the trip ; scarcely any other 
sort of game. Even the jack-rabbits are no longer seen except on rare occasions. Daybreak dis- 
covers to us, after saddliug up and riding ahead for about one thousand yards, that we have camped 
within that distance of where the Meadow Greek again appears. A slight breakfast is taken, 
and we push on, and at 1 p. m. come across some Indian rancherias, but as none of them could 
converse in English, it yet seemed uncertain how near at hand our destination might be. Still the 
same dreary sandy wash continues, opening out as the rancherias are passed, and in the foreground, 
some fifteen or twenty miles distant, apparently, were mountains supposed to be to the westward 
of the Muddy. At 3 p. m. Mr. Ord's horse had given entirely out, and we had been walking for 
two or three hours. At this time, by climbing a little sand-mound, a line of vegetation, wind- 
ing through the desert, was seen in the distance, and apparently a party encamped. I concluded 
to ride ahead, and much to my joy and relief found Lieutenant Lockwood and his party — a rather 
sorry meeting, as, having had bad luck also, they were entirely used up. In company with him, a 
further travel of eighteen miles was made, till Saint Joseph was reached, at which place it was 
supposed that grain could be purchased. The next morning this business was consummated, and 
the grain forwarded to the party. The distance traveled from our camp on Meadow Creek had been 
seventy-eight miles. 

It was thought advisable to have all make camp near West Point, a settlement within two or 
three miles of the point at which the old Los Angeles and Salt Lake road crosses the Muddy. This 
was done, and Lieutenant Lockwood's party immediately moved to this point. The most was made 
of the interval, before the other wagons should come up. in physical recuperation of both men and 
animals. Finally, on the afternoon of 22d September, the parties hauled slowly into camp — a 
scare-crow, exhausted-looking set — sadly wanting on the part of the animals, then in a semi 
starving condition, good grain, grass, and water, while the men needed at least a few nights of 
sound rei)Ose. 

The Indians and Mormons are frequent visitors to our camp while near West Point. The 
former come both for curiosity and to see what they can steal ; the latter, to vend the productions 
of their little ranches and gardens. 

The Indians in Southern Nevada and below the latitude of Patterso7i District know but little 
of white men other than Mormons, and have been taught to look upon them as chief, clearly dis- 
criminating between the foimer and Gentiles. This peculiarity is carried to a remarkable degree 
of penetration whenever a German happens along, who no sooner comes alone and unprotected 
than he is pretty sure to lose his horse and other personal eftects. 

The treaty made by Governor (now Senator) Nye in 1863, in Ruby Valley, extended only as 
far south as (^uinn's Canon. The Indians on the Muddy, when all counted, number nearly five 
b undred, while at the rancherias in Long Valley wash there are between seventy and eighty. The 
numbers of other Indians in close vicinity of Clover Valley, in Meadow Valley, and near Spring 
Valley, could not be accurately found out, as they kept wholly aloof — a sign always to be feared, 
as when they do so it only wants the hope of certainty of success for them to attack any party. To 
what cause this was to have been attributed is somewhat difficult to say. Their communication 
with more northern Indians is (piite sliglit ; and the Utahs spi^ak quite a difleronc language. These 
Indians could all be easily iiabituated to live on a reservation, and in that way woidd become self- 
supporting. At the rancherias encountered they raise small crops of grain, potatoes, and many 
melons. 

The valley of the Muddy, though very contracted, is fertile, and forms the Dixie of Nevada 



17 

State, and so are called the tbree Jlonnou settlements— West Toint, Saint Josepb, and Saint 
Thomas — adjacent to the most fertile spots. Of these the entire population amounts to from 
twelve to fiftceu hundred souls. lu summer niauy go to tlio more northern settlements, to retuin 
apiin in the winter, having' always, as a matter of course, a wife or wives iu each place. One ot 
these people, privijeged with four wives, was the happy father of twenty-two children. All of them 
at this, his winter resort, were being reared unwashed, unkempt, untaught. AH sorts of crops that 
are familiar to the growth of our Southern States can be raised on these little spots of land, althon-h 
surrounded by the mountainous desert on every hand. Unfortunately, the areas that can be cul- 
tivated are small, otherwise cotton could bo raised in great quantities. Small fields of this were 
ready for picking at our arrival. All the grains do well, but produce not so largely as in Pahrana- 
gat N'alley. The same in regard to jwtatoes and most vegetables. Fruits and vines llourish 
luxuriantly. 

The limited waters of the ISIuddy will not irrigate more than about lifteen hundred acres; so 
that, in case vast extents of the finest vegetable mold existed, it must now lie desert and arid for 
(he want of irrigation. 

The most is made of every particle of information that can be gathered in respect to tlie nature 
of the country in immediate \iciinty of the Colorado, so that our exhausted forces shall be put to 
the best use in continuing the examination, that it may be as full and satisfactory as possible. All 
accounts were alike unfavorable, and our minds were made up for the severest trials of the tri]!. It 
was i»lainly evident that the most that could be done would be to follow the Virgin to its mouth ; 
thence, closely hugging the Colorado, El Dorado Canon might be reached, and from thence a road 
runs to Las \'egas Si)rings. The wagons can go no farther i^onth without having to return, show- 
ing how op])ortune it had been to keep them iu vicinity of the old California road. It was deter- 
mined to send them at once to Las \'egas Kanch, at whicli point the animals would have a chance 
to recuperate, and the parties would be in position to re-enforce the i)arty going via the Colorado 
This j)arty consisted of, besides myself, Lieutenant Lockwood, Mr. Ilamcl, one cor])oral and six men, 
in addition to a pack-train, consisting of six animals. I'revious to our dei>arture on the morning 
of the 21)th, the section in proximity to the valley of the .Muddy had been examined. The settle- 
ments along the JMuddy had also been visited. 

Tiie lirst day's march biought us to the Juiuition of the Jfuddy with the Virgin. Cami) was 
made beside the stream so long looked foi-«ard to with some auticiitation, that told us we might 
lind a river. Instead, however, its dignity attains to no more than that of a mill-stieam over a 
sandy flat. The water, continual!}' full of cla,t ai!d sand particles, is of a reddish, nuiddy color, 
fearfully brackish, and scarcely lit for any animal to drink. The thirst occasioned by a long day's 
travel over a sandy road, in a temperature that would iiulicate more than 112^ Fahrenheit in the 
shade, made any water j)alatable. 

The next day, after taking observations till 2.30 p. m., we moved down the river some live or 
six miles, passing and leaving on our right the noted Salt Mountain, containing remarkably pure 
crystals. This is owned by the llyko Silver ^Mining ("ompauy, and is a very extensive deposit. 
Other salt deposits are found near the banks of the Virgin, and to the south, while within one thou- 
sand yards of its mouth is a large, deep well of remarkably clear water, but [lowerfully charged with 
salty matter. This is situated upon the mimt, some iha hundred yards from the Colorado, with pre- 
cipitous banks, looking on the deep waters below. No one knows the depth ; our parties could not 
ascertain this for want of means. Undoubtedly its origin is from the Virgin through underground 
ehauTiels. 

We had reached the mouth of the Virgin, ami looked upon the banks of the Kio Colorado. 
Here two Mormon llshernu'u inhabit a little hut, and catch some few fish from the river. We were 
at this point some lilly or sixty miles below the foot of the " Grand Canon," which point it had been 
my intention to visit, but the worn-out condition of the expedition absolutely forbade my doing so. 

From the most reliable information that coidd be gathered, it appears that the Coloi'ado is 
ai)proacliable on its northern and western sides at but very few points from El Dorado Cafion to 
far above the foot of the Grand Cafion. A few sandy washes in the near vicinity of El Dora<lo 
Canon lead down to the river. From the head of several of these access can be gained to the inte- 
rior country. The next one is founil at the mouth of N'cgas wash, above the lilack Canon, a strip 
3 w 



18 

of low shore that, exteudiug above Callville, is lost iu the rough monntaius that, breaking across the 
river at this point, constitute the walls of Virgin or Boulder Caiion. Again, at the mouth of the Vir- 
gin, the river may be approached, but not again until the crossing is reached below the foot of the 
Grand Caiion. This point can be approached from Saint George by followiug down the Grand 
wash. The next crossing is at the mouth of Paria Creek. Some twenty miles further is a point 
known as El Vado de los Padres, that leads into the Navajo country. 

These six points are the only available ones in a stretch of three hundred and fifty miles at which 
the river can be approached by a road, and at the most of these that road cannot be much better 
than a trail, without largfe expenditure in the way of building. The precipitous and high mountains 
make down to the banks of the Colorado in a continuous line, from eight to ten miles below El 
Dorado Canon, and up to within five or six miles of the mouth of the Virgin. At the three other 
crossing points direct communication can be had with the lower country. Between the first-men- 
tioned i)laces, according to information obtained, no parties have ever succeeded in gettingdown to 
the river from the lower side. 

I am indebted to Mr. Gibbons, representative from Saint Thomas to the territorial legislature 
of Arizona, and Mr. Ira P. Hatch, an old Indian guide and interpreter iu Meadow Valley, for much 
of the information in regard to the Colorado in the vicinage of the reconnaissance-line. 

Lieutenant Ives and party succeeded iu followiug dowu Diamond Creek until the Colorado 
was reached. This is probably the only point at wliich a party can get through on the lower side 
between the crossing below the Grand Canon and the conliuencc of the Little Colorado, except at 
tlie Slieavwitz crossing. In case there is to be a railroad leading from any point on the Central 
Pacific Ilailroad through Nevada, and coune'itiug with Arizona, the problem is a very simple one. 
The Colorado must be crossed either at the mouth of the Virgin or at the mouth of the Grand 
wash. 

Knowledge gained from the Indians and from other sources makes it appaient that the passage 
is not difficult, after having crossed the Colorado at the mouth of the Virgin, to reach the head of 
the Hualapais Valley, and thence to Prescott, the most notable of any of the points in Northeru 
Arizoua. '' 

While standing upon the mesa near this place, I could see a wide wash that seemed to follow 
to the top of the low hills opposite, and from which the ludiaus said we could easily follow to any 
of the valleys below. I was very anxious to cross the river at this point, and climbing some peak 
get a view to the south and eastward, but we were obliged to push rapidly on. Should this prove 
true, it will not be impossible to connect this po'nt^asily with a road to Prescott, whicli would 
probably meet the road from Hardyville to the above point near Camp Toil-Gate. A hasty recon- 
naissance through this stretch of country will be necessary in order to fully settle this point. 

The route from Toano, on the Central Pacific Railroad, leading through Pahranagat Valley to 
the mouth of the Virgin, will be the most eligible in case that it is desirable to reach points below 
the Colorado iu this way. 

The route that has been traveled considerably during the present season, leads irom Elko 
via White I'ine, down liailroad Valley to Quiuu Caiion ; thence, via Crescent Mill, Indian Spring, 
Las Vegas, and Hardyville, and thence on the military road to Prescott, passing Camp Toil-Gate. 
By a reference to the table of distances it is seen that this route is comparatively worthless, and 
can only be used by small parties. 

As regards the uavigatiou of the river, my opinion can fenly be rendered as a digest of the bulk 
of authentic intelligence which it was my care to seek as much as possible, at all times, where 1 
supposed it could be found. It is well known that the Esmeralda, an old hulk, did succeed in 
getting as far up the river as Callville, then a small Mormon lauding above the ]>Iack Canon, pass- 
ing successfully the lioaring llapids. If this has been done, it seems quite certain that there are 
fewer obstructions in Virgin or Boulder Caiion. If so, practical navigation may easily reach the 
mouth of the Virgin. Again, from this point on, it is understood that no insurmountable hin- 
derances occur to ordiiuiry navigation until the Big Canon is reached ; but after ascending this for a 
distance of about five miles, it becomes impossible to go any further. No present or prospective 
needs go to show that it will ever become necessary to navigate higher than the Virgin. If they 
do, such navigation may be carried as far as the Grand Cauon crossiug. In order to accomplish 



19 

this, strong stern-wheel steamers, of light draught, with heavy power, will iioed lo be used, while 
all the merchandise will have to be placed on barges. 

The local necessities for navigation, even this far, seem, at the present moment, to be very few. 
Scarcely any mines exist in close proximity to the river, and of those above Mqjave the only ones 
known are at El Dorado thinon. There is no agricultural land of any moment above the same 
point, and there are no roads for communication to the interior any higher uj), except to the ^lor- 
mon settlements on the Muddy, and tiiese lind, at tiie present prices, the Central Pacific Railroad 
having been built, that it is better and cheaper to receive sup[)lies via Salt Lake. Steamers run up 
now as far as ]\rojave with Government freight — occasionally as far as EI Dorado Cafiou, where a 
small mining enteri>rise is being carried on. 

The proposition stands thus, so far as present means of information, which for all practicable 
uses are authentic, th it in case any developments of the country call for it, the Colorado Kiver can 
be'7iavigatcd by steamers as far as the old Indian crossing, about one and one-half miles below the 
foot of the Grand Canon; but that beyond it its waters can serve no beueflt to the internal coin- 
municatiouorthe gratlual development of its surrounding country except for purposes of irrigation. 

The reaching of the mouth of tiie Virgin has brought us to the extreme southern end ot the 
main line of the recounaissaiiite. The further continuance had to be controlled by the force at dis- 
posal, and the desire to gain all possible information while upon the ground, not alone for the sake 
of information and the full performance of duty, but (!onnected with it a lingering regard for the 
misfortunes of another, who possibly might be sent to examine this wild and desolate region, pro- 
vided this reconnaissance did not complete the required end. 

It apjiears that a renegade band of Navajo Indians have been in the habit of crossing the Col- 
orado at both La I'aria and Ute Crossings, making raids ujjon the Mormon stock near St. George, 
and retreating by the same route. 

Provided tlie future development of Southern Nevada calls for the establishment of a military 
post, or posts, tiiere are but few ])oints at which this can be done. The direct lines through, as is 
shown, are but two in number. Upon one or the otlier of these such post, or posts, must be estab- 
lished, except further knowledge shows that some one point calls, on account of local, political, or 
strategic importance, for a post in its immediate vicinity. At Meadow Vallej', all that is reijuired 
for the erection and sustenance of a post can be found. It is quite outside of the north and south 
lines of travel. On the line from Toano to the mouth of the Virgin, there are really but four eligi- 
ble points — at Murray's Creek, Cave Camp, Pahranagat Valley, and the Muddy. The finest of these 
positions, as regards central location and surrounding necessities, is Pahranagat. 

Although w hen we had reached the Colorado a great sense of relief came over us, tliat our recon- 
naissance line had been so far extended, yet it was well known by every one of the little party that 
the greater part of one of the hardest trips was yet before us. 

On the morning of the 2d October we leave the mouth of the Virgin to thread our way, hugging 
the river as closely as possible, intending to follow this programma as far as El D3rado Canon, 
should circumstances permit. 

The lirst day out proved a very disastrous and fatiguing one, and the night coming ou found us 
ill three parties, each in a sandy wash leading down to the river near Callville — some without water 
and with rations, others with water and no rations, and others again without either. We succeeded in 
getting together and reaching Callville by 1 p. m. of the next day, with only the consolation of look- 
ing biick and seeing that great dittieulties had been passed, while, turning to the other liand, as 
great ones stared us in the face. 

CJALLVILLE. 

This was originally started as a little Mormon landing, from whence stores coming to the river 
could be shipped to the settlements of Southern Utah, (iuite a large store-house and several stone 
shanties had been erected ; all were abandoned at the date of our arrival, adding desolation to ster- 
ility. There is no possible reason for regenerating the place, and whenever a stray traveler reaches 
the.se solitudes he w ill only see, as we have seen, the deserted store-houses and surrounding shanties. 

Here news from the party at Las Vegas ranch met us, ami also the intelligence that some grain 
had arrived at the mouth of Vegas wash — good news, since that purchased at St. Thomas had 



20 

become exbanstetl, and beyQnil a little salt grass at tbe inoutii of tlio Viigiu, nothing Lad been 
encountered in the way ol' forage. 

Tbe road down tbe Virgin from tbe confluence of tbe Muddy is not passable for heavy wagons 
in high water, on account of shifting sands. At these times a road upon the sand mesas to the 
westward will have to be constructed. This will be a rough and sandy road. From the mouth of 
Las Vegas "Wash we have before us the Black Butte, near w hich Lieutenant Ives came with bis 
boat at his farthest station upon the Colorado, while with the river party. At this point there is a 
little sand island, around which a small part of the river runs and again returns to the mother stream, 
collecting much alkaline matter in its passage. Eeacbing this, Lieutenant Ives judged that they 
had found the mouth of the Virgin, and looking to tbe east and north, they saw the dark, high 
mountains, that seemed to say there lies no passage beyond, concluded that fartlier than this point 
no navigation of the Colorado conld be effected. 

The mountain scenery in this locality, to my idea, was the most wild, picturesque, and i)leasing 
of any that it has ever been my fortune to meet. The walls of the Black Canon rise steep, dark, 
and sharp on the south and east, and to the northeast those of Boulder Canon, while the continua- 
tion of ranges leading to the north and northwest makes our station a])pear similar to that of a 
depression in a grand basin, from which escape seems ditidcnlt in any direction. The walls of 
Boulder Canon are nearly perpendicular, from twelve to fifteen hundred feet in height. The scene 
encountered upon reaching tbe river by moonlight was one of extreme loneliness and grandeur. 

The next morning those so fortunate as to return follow up the wasli to meet the train, in camp 
at Las Vegas, while tbe hardy party — pioneers of the last few days — have continued on the trail 
toward El Dorado Canon. A hard day's march in the burning sun is concluded, and night bring.s 
nothing save tbe certainty that no camp has been reached, and that no one knows where there is 
any water. We had been directed to some ambiguous place nearly one mile away from the trail 
where it was .said that it could be found, and flually, a little before midnight, we did find it — Lieu- 
tenant Lockwood and myself coming in somewhat later than the pack-train. Never was water more 
acceptable, though found in so drear a locality, high up among some dark volcanic-looking foot hillSj 
upon which no one would suppose that rain bad ever fallen. 

During the day the surveying party had gotten lost, and at night we did not know where they 
were — an affair that caused much uneasiness, as it would have been little better than death if they 
had followed any route except the one leading to Las Vegas. After reaching El Dorado Canon, our 
apprehensions were quieted, and another party started out and came to that point. 

Strange as it may seem, there was a slight amount of wild bunch-grass, or " hard-tack," as it is 
called, near at hand to our dismal camp, w^hich, though very dry, offers some nourishment to the 
animals, that are allowed to graze till 10 a. m.; after which a brave start is made, and after winding 
in and out of canons and sandy washes, tbe mill at El Dorado Canon is reached before nightfall. 
During the day, and while crossing several high divides, the river stretched out before us down be- 
low Cottonwood Island, and the mountains that follow down below Fort Mojave and to the east can 
be plainly seen. Tbe position of the post can also be nearly determined by the aid of a field-glass, 
although the distance was at least sixty miles. 

A day's rest was taken at the mouth of the caiiou to see if an y thing could be heard from the 
surveying party, and on the succeeding morning we start back and meet another party sent out 
from the " Vegas," at a little spring in the canon, not very far from the mines. While at this point, 
a short time was taken to look at a few of the leads in 

El Dorado Distiiict. 

lU'fore the war these mines had been the scene of some little excitement, which snb.sequently 
w as broken np, and the camp nearly abandoned. About ISGo a revival was created, and some of 
the mines have since been worked. In 18G0 a company of troops weie stationed near the mouth of 
the cafion. The principal lead is the Techatticnp, which has all the appearance of a true fissure- 
vein, though not very wide. The surface-showing of ores have always assayed high ; those from 
the interior liave rich mineral indications, but at our coming, by the ordinary amalgamation pro- 
cess—the only one used— did not yield a large return. Whether this resulted from mismanagement, 
or the fact that the process was poor and the mill old, it is dillicult to say. Tbe vein-matter shows 



21 

galena, siili>liide of silver, and copper pyrites. The sulphide of silver and what little chloride is 
found are all that so far have yielded any return. In case that arrangements were made for roasting, 
it seems almost certain tliat this mine could be made productive. The facilities for mining are 
extremely unfortunate. The miues are iu a perfect desert, without wood or water. Every tiling 
connected with their working is expensive, and must so continue until competition can be brought 
to I)ear upon facilities for transportation. 

The other mines in this district are comparatively undeveloped. Tlieir number is legion, as is 
nearly always the case in mining sections. Every boulder that has a streak of mineial is likely to 
be located as a ledge, with all its dips and spurs, angles, &c. 

From this point we turn our backs to the far-famed Colorado, tiiat .should be known as the 
Kiver of the Desert; winding its way here through steep and sterile canon.s, and therethrough 
arid and long extended de.serts, acting as an imperfect channel of communication, varying in 
velocity and volume. In my travels it has been my lot to cross it twice— at Mojave'and Fort 
Yuma — and to examine its character for nearly seventy miles from El Dorado Canon to the 
month of the ^'i^gin, and when we looked back upon it for the last time no sense-was touched, 
save that of relief. 

During the day of October Oth tcpo^raphical parties have made the best use of the time, and 
the next day at 2 p. m. all start to join the main camp at Las Vegas. 

October Sth finds us all together agiin, a sorry-looking crowd, although the camj) is a pleasant 
one. Nearly every one wishes to go by the Salt Lake road to Los Angeles — by far the easiest route, 
as by going to the northward at the time of reaching the latitude of White Pine it was expected to 
find much frost and snow. The fixed resolution of going back on this line was still i)ersisted in 
by myself, although it seemed a thing almost impossible, considering the state of the transi)orta- 
tiou. However, as it was necessary to send to Fort Mojave for supplies, it was thought best to 
forward a reipiisition for mules. Four were received, ami these, in connection with the six captured 
from the Jlormons, greatly recuperated our worn-out train. 

While remaining at this camp a reconnaissance was made toward Potosi ."\Iountain, iu vicinity 
of Salt Lake road ; one along the Vegas wash, and another to northwest along the range known 
as Spring ^lountain range. I was in charge of tlie latter, and had left instructions for the train to 
meet our small party at Indian Springs. The reconnaissance to the west and south was conducted 
in charge of Lieutenant Lockwood as far as the old Potosi, now known as the Yellow Pine District. 
A description of this district appears in the preliminary report of 1S71. 

The Indians in the vicinity of Las Vegas are the Pah-Utes, and vary in numbers from fifty or 
sixty to one hundred and fifty or two hundred, according as they see tit to live iu the valley, or 
keep to the mountains. Some of these at times make their wick eups about El Dorado Canon, 
and again a few near Cottonwood Island, on the river ; while the most of these same Indians are 
found in the mountains of the Spring ^lountain range, and to the northwest from the Vegas, 
numbering as high as three or four hundred, all told. As some of these Indians could speak Sho- 
shone, it was concluded that our guide would be able to gather from some of them information about 
getting north from Indian Si)rings. The result proved quite fortunate in giving us a knowledge ot 
one of the worst forced marches of the trip. 

During this detour quite an amount of mineral cr()i)ping was discovered by some members of 
the party. The section was designated as the Timber Mountain District iu consequence of its close 
proximity to a large quantity of very line pine timber, high up on the mountains. The croppings 
were galena, cidoride of silver, and pyrites, with indications of gold. The ledges, in some instances, 
were large and well defined. The chances for mining were comparatively good. The develop- 
ment of mines so far remote must dejiend njion time and increased facilities of inland transporta- 
tion. If a railroad is built through Southea.stern Nevada, a mineral section will be developed not 
to be equaled on this coast, throwing open chances for legitimate mining operations, where capital, 
used with Judgment, will ultimately prove a profitable investment. The building of the .%jth 
parallel road will improve and render quite accessible some of the minini: prospects of this 
latitude. 

Intelligence received from the camp at Las Vegas, upon our arrival at Inilian Springs, told of 
the desertion of two men and the loss of five of our best animals. This further crippling of our 



22 

wasted force of auimals was so disheartening tliat it appeared almost impossible to attempt the trip 
to the north, as all of them were growing weaker each day from the effect of eating the young salt 
grass at Las Vegas. 

Having found some fine bunch-grass about seven miles distant from ludian Spring, orders were 
sent back for tbe wagons to come on to this point, and they did so, reaching it on the evening of 
the 22d October. The animals were sent to the mountains to graze, and all our energies gathered 
for a severe march. To make this, a division into four parties was effected, as at two of the springs 
it was known there was not enough water for more than six or eight animals. 

On the evening of the 28th October the first party moved out of camp, each one with a feeling of 
uncertainty as to the success of getting through with the teams. During the next day the second 
and third parties left, and on the following day the last. The march for seven or eight miles from 
Indian Spring was across an alkali flat, which became almost impassable iu consequence of a rain 
that had -conimcnced some few hours before the starting of the last party. This party traveled till 
midnight, when the animals being badly worn out, a halt was made for a few hours. The next day at 
1 p. m., Quartz Spring was reached. The march to this point had been across alkali flats, sandy 
washes, and broken mesas. A more thoroughly horrible road could not be imagined. 

Eesting for about one hour at Quartz Spring — a little spring some one and one-half miles up a 
canon from the sandy wash iu which the road runs, and from which eighteen small buckets of water 
were obtained — it was considered better to ride on to ascertain how good luck the advance parties 
were having. This was done, and, on the night of the 2d November, Crescent Mill, to the west- 
ward of Pahrauagat, was reached, from which point the advance party had gone ou for seven or 
eight miles to a place where there was more water and grass. The animals of the second and third 
parties were driven in during the night to get water, having become too much exhausted to drag iu 
the wagons. The distance from Indian Spring to Crescent Mill is nearly ninety miles, and may be 
looked upon as a desert for the entire distance, as at the two springs the amount of water obtained 
was not so great as that taken along in casks and kegs. The grades are mostly ascending. The 
sandy washes and broken character of the road render it a very disastrous route for anything like 
heavy-laden teams. Our wagons could never have gone through except for the dividing up and 
consequent good management, and not even then, except that from twelve to fifteen hundred pounds 
of surplus materials were thrown away at Indian Spring. Much credit was due to every one con- 
nected with the command for the energy and perseverance iu this desert trip, which, beiug the 
most difficult of the season, was taken after long and protracted hardships during a summer's stay 
in the mountains. 

Finally, ou November i, all the train succeeded in making camp at Schafer's Springs ; a weary, 
dirty-looking set, worse in appearance than emigrants. 

Considering that Lieutenant Lockwood had not been able to visit the mines in Pahrauagat 
District during his passage to the south, and as we were very near to them while at Crescent Mill, 
it was considered advisable to nurke a hasty visit while the teams were iu camp, for the purpose 
of recuperating. This route was through Logan Springs to Silver Canon, where are situated most 
of the buildings belonging to the Hyko Silver Mining Company, engaged iu mining on a large 
scale. 

This trip aflbrded many new hints. Tliis company own nearly all the mines in the district, and 
leads that stretch over a distance of five miles. The general direction of the most of these is nearly 
north aiul south, while many feeders, chimneys, wings, and cross-veins exist that, when developed, 
run into the iriother vein. The Illinois and Indiana were the leads most worked, and those showed 
well defined walls at a depth of nearly 300 feet. The ore is low grade, but of large amount. 
Mucli money has been spent in the enterprise, with, so far, little return. One of the finest ten- 
stamp mills in the State has been put up at Hyko. Everything connected with the mining of the 
ore is conducted in the best manner. The expense of hauling the ore to Hyko, a distance of about 
ten miles, and wood also, brings tlie jirice of roasting so high that both together eat up all the 
l)rofit. An attempt was being made to find water iu Silver Canon, and a depth of ninety-seven 
feet had been reached. 

A hasty trip was made to Hyko and down Pahrauagat Valley toward the lake, as it was desirable 
to learn more with regard to the valley that, by common consent, is considered as the most fertile 



23 

iu Soutbera Xevada. The little town of flyko is at tbe head of the valley, practically so, since the 
Iiead has to be takcu at the couiinencement of arable land, determined, in this case, by tbe appear- 
ance of a large spring, the water of which brings the land into a state (ifc for cultivation. Tiiere is 
quite a strii) of line vegetal)Ie mold farther up that can never be made use of for want of irrigation. 
This is covered with a Inxurient growth of sage-brush. 

It has been noted that, thronghout Nevada, wherever the sagebrush grows thick aud to a 
large size, the soil underneath is susceptible of the highest cultivation. Unfortunately, however, 
water is latiking in most of tiiese localities, except at some future day artesian wells develop the 
existence of large basins of water in the valley depressions. The mesas from the east side of the 
l*ahranagat range come down so closely upon the \alley that it is rendered (piite narrow, but 
what there is of it is extremely fertile. The length is something over thirty miles, and width 
from three-fourths to one and one-half miles. The land-surveys show that there is from fifteen 
to eighteen thousand acres of land subject to cultivation. This is an amount not equalled by any 
other valley encountered in our travels, except IJuby Valley. There are three large springs that 
rise suddenly out of the ground, showing powerful subterranean force. The amounts of water are 
wulhcient for the irrigation of all that part of the valley necessary to be irrigated. Some parts 
saturated continually need no irrigation. Adobes can be made for buildings. Wood is not plenty, 
and must come from the neighboring hills. Bunch-grass is found on the foothills at the lower end 
of the valley. The valley-grass in some parts is salt grass; iu others, the " blue-joint" appears. 
Cattle thrive upon any of it when acclimated. Stopping at several of the ranches, I was much sur- 
l)riscd at seeing such luxuriance of vegetation ; vegetables were especially large, both in size and 
production, and excellent in (juality. 

The approximate area of agricultural land in the valleys traversed by our parties is two hun- 
dred and lifty square miles, showing the great scarcity of arable land. It appears certain that 
lands in Southeastern Xevada lit for agricultural production will, in time, be valuable. 

A return to our camp at Schafer's Springs is made, and orders given for the train to move on 
as far as Quinn Caiiou, the next stopping-place. Meanwhile a detour is made for the purpose of 
obtaining topography of and information in regard to the 

TIM-PAU-UTE MINES. 

These are situated iu the sDutheru end of a short detached range to the northeast Irom Tim- 
Tah-Ute IVak, ami to the W(!st of the head of Pahranagat Valley. Their surface-showing is 
very fine, and the ores assay very rich. The slight developments made determined nothing as to 
the surety of the development of a fissure vein or veins. The opportunities for mining and milling 
are not convenient, but, on the other hand, very ditticult. The nearest water is Tick-aboo Springs, 
some eight miles distant. 

The Orescent Mill, sixteen miles from the mines, had Just completed arrangements, at that 
time, to mill their ore. The nearest ai)proach from the vicinity of AVliite Pine is vi<t (Juinu Cauou 
directly down an alkali valley to the west of the mines, and the distance is api)roximately one hun- 
dred and fifty miles. But a slight amount of capital had been employed up to the time of our 
arrival. The chances seem very favorable in this district for the future. Considerable sulphide 
of silver is here found, aiul very little base metal. 

GROOM DISTRICT. 

This is situated to the south and west from Tim-Pah-Utc Pe.ik, .and is one vast deposit of 
galena, so far as all accounts can be trusted. It was not visited for want of time and means. 

This district was not being worked by any miners in November last, but I understand that since 
that time parties have gona there to make some developments. The chances for mining are favor- 
able ; wood and water are sullieiently plenty, and timber enough for all requirements. 

These galena ores are assuming quite a resi)ectable status among mining schemes, and the 
future will open to them a histoiy unknown to the past. Good results may be looked for, and 



24 

what the ludiaus have called " bullets," aad the Mormons " lead," «-ill prove, under the baud of 
true Americau industry, to coutain large amounts of that power that rules the prosperity of peoples 
— money. 

A hasty return to our camp at Quiun Canon is m.ide, which we reach on the 9th of November. 
The animals are resting, and parties are out among the hills gaining information. Ilere we find 
barley that had been placed on store in August last, and which proves remarkably acceptable, con- 
sidering the worn-out condition of the team animals. 

The road from Crescent Mill to Quiun Canon has been more than an average of fair mountain- 
road. Not so the one from Indian Spring to the first-mentioned place, which was a succession of 
washes, sand stretches, and alkali flats. The bunch-grass, that is still found in spots, more fre- 
<]uently higher among the hills than the ordinary traveled route, had become so very dry that it 
seemed almost worthless for the animals when they could get it. The occasion for this has resulted 
from the extreme dryness of the season. This grass, however, appears to retain its saccharine and 
nourishing qualities, no matter what the degree of dryness. 

From Quiun Caiion Lieutenant Lockwood took a small party to make a detour via fieveille and 
Hot Creek, and thence return and meet us at Monte Christo Mill, opposite White Pine ; while the 
wagons approached the same point by following up Railroad Valley. This is a long, wide, sterile 
and alkaline valley, stretching far to the south from where we debouched into it opposite Quinn 
Caiion. The laud that is fit for ranching is extremely small iu amount, the greater part of which 
is in the vicinity of Duck Water, on the western side, while our line of travel was nearer to the 
eastern side. To the west of the valley extends the Pancake range, that merges about opposite 
White Pine into the Diamond rauge, that follows farther on to the railroad, making a natural trend 
of valleys, with almost insensible divides, from Peko, on the Central Pacific Pailroad, to far below 
the Reveille District. This avenue, as a natural route for a railway, cannot be surpassed ; but 
where the railroad would go, in case of its being built, after leaving Railroad Valley, is a subject 
worthy of close investigation. 

Rapid marching was made, and Monte Christo Mill reached on the evening of the IGth Novem- 
ber. We had come to what appeared to us as considerable civilization, when we were within a few 
hours' travel of the White Pino settlements— having been so long without receiving letters or much 
of any sort of intelligence. Here letters and friends were found, and newspapers, too. No one who 
lias not tried the mountains for along and tedious time can tell how acceptable all these are. Lieu- 
teuiiut Lockwood and his party arrived late on the evening of the 18th. 

Telegraphing for the rate of the chronometers, conducted in a similar manner as iu the pre- 
ceding season, was consummated during the night of the 10th. 

On the succeeding morning the train moved out on the stage-road to Elko. Hasty marching 
was made to the telegraph station on the old overland road, from which point a surveying party 
was detached to go through Ruby Valley to Camp Halleck, to get ])osition of the road and ranches 
along the valley, and as much further topography as possible, while the teams, hugging the 
western side of the Humboldt range, follow for awhile the stage-road, and then a road that 
detours by Lamoile Creek, reaching Camp Halleck iu a severe snow-storm on the evening of the 
25th of November. 

The next day everything was packed, the property turned over, and, during the succeeding 
night those of us who were to return to San Francisco reached Halleck Station, where, taking the 
westward train on the morning of the 27th, San Francisco was reached on the eve of the 2Sth of 
November. 

EECAPITULATIOX 

By reference to the accompanying map, the extent of tlie reconnaissance is easily traced, and 
its area found to embrace, approximately, 20,500 square miles. Of this no accurate mapping had 
been made below the latitude (39° 15') of White Pine. The length of the reconnaissance-line in all 
its detours is 2,210 miles. 

The linal nuip, will be completed upon a scale as large as one inch to eight miles. 

The astronomical observations, taken altogether at some fifty stations, have been of such a 



25 

character as to detcruiiue the latitude to fractioual parts of a miniito in arc; while at poiuts 
where the telegraph could be used, more satisfactory results have heen attained with regard to 
longitude; below AVhitii Pino these [tositions are unly approximate, depending upon the equability 
of the rate of the chronometers. 

NATURE OF TKK BECONNAISSANCE. 

The inteution has been that the iuforuiation collected shall be of as great i)ractieal value as 
possible, showing ui)on the map, besides the general topogiapliical features, all the |iresent exist- 
i!ig roads, with tables giving distances between stations, the character of the roads, .Sec., streams 
and springs, the spots at which timber exists, the height of noticeable mountain ranges, peaks, &c. 

The basis of the reconnaissance has been the actual road traversed, carelidly meandered; the 
distances lieing taken by odometers that can bede[)ended upon to a variation not exceeding two i)er 
cent. The positions of the camps, as thus determined, have been modified from the results ol the 
astronomical work. In many cases, from the to[is of prominent j)eaks that had been carelully 
located, directions were taken to other prominent [)eaks, far in the distance; thus acconiiilisliiug 
a trigonometric couuection. 

]Metcorological observations have been taken, so as to be used in connecticm with the obtain- 
ing of altitudes, and for such general information as their discussion will develop. .Vt six or seven 
points these have been taken hourly, and at intervals extending ftom forty-eight to uiuety-six 
hours. 

Aneroid baronu'ters, compared each day with cistern barometers, have been used with good 
success to give data for determining a rough protile of routes traverseil. 

The natural trend of the mountain chains and valleys is seen to be north and south, varied 
here and there by a break in the wave-motion of the great force that first created the upheaval — 
showing at these points lateral divergences, giving more dillicult divides from one valley to 
another, ami every variety of hill and ravine contour. This is, perhaps, the most noticeable in 
the vicinities of the White Pine and Pahranagat ranges. 

The valleys traversed were twenty-three in number, as follows: ITiintington, IJuby, White 
Pine, Long, yteptoe. Cave, Desert, Meadow, S|>ring, Snake, Lake, I'ahranagat, IJuse, (.'etlar, Eagle, 
Dry, Clover, Meadow, Vegas, Coal, Sierra, Railroad, and Alkali. 

Eighteen mining districts were visited, that lie within the area eiiibract'd by our route, as 
follows: Cave, White Pine, IJobiuson, Patterson, Sacramento, Snake, Shoshone, Ely, El Dorado, 
Yellow Pine, Timber JMouutain, Hercules, Tim-Pah-Ute, Pahranagat, Ueveille, Hot Creek, Morey, 
and Grant. Slight glances at their character, and a sonu-what general description of each, is given 
in the body of the report. There are really two distinct and som.-what jiarallel lines: One, 
leaving the railroad near Toana, bears southward thnmgh Ste])toe Valley, via Cave aud Pahrana- 
gat Valleys, and thence along the Muddy and ^'irgin IJiversto the Colorado; thence by a prospect- 
ive route till some point on the military road fiom .'\loJave to Prescott is reached. The other, leav- 
ing the railroad at Elko, passes west of Hamilton, down Kailntad \'alley, thence, via Crescent 
Mill. Indian Springs, Las Vegas, and Hardy ville, to the same military road. 

If any route is ever used as a through line of travel, either as a railroad or as a country road, 
for any heavy transportation, it must be the one crossing the Colorado at the mouth of the Virgin. 
The more westerly line is comparatively a desert all the way to H:mly\ille, after White Piue is 
reached. 

P>y a refei-ence to the tallies, it will appear that the liistame troni 'lnano, on the Central PaciQc 
Kailroad, to Prescott, Ariz., on the natural roule of travel, is live hundred ami lifty-eight miles; 
while from I'^lko, a jmint farther south on the railroad, by a more westerly route, it is six hundred 
aud forty one miles, giving an advantage of l'> per cent, to the foiiner in distance alone. The 
other advantages, such as better roads, camps with better accommodations in regard to wood, 
water, and grass, and fewer desert nuirches, are superior to the one above mentioned. Provided 
the road can be made through from the nmnth of the Virgin, loaded wagons can reach Camp Toil- 
Gate from the Central Pacific IJailroad in twenty or twenty one days actual travel ; while, on the 
other route, it would take at least twenty-nine or thirty days, and longer intervals at stopping- 
4 w 



26 

places, for rest, ou tbe route. Goverument stores freighted on sucb a Hue would cost, delivei'ed at 
Camp Toll Gate, 12i cents per pound for the freight, reckoning at the rate of 2i cents per pound 
for every hundred miles, which would naturally be about the average contract price. At present 
the contract price for freight via the mouth of the Colorado to Fort Mojave is 3| cents per pound, 
and from thence by land to Camp Toll-Gate 4| cents, making a total cost of transportation from 
Sau PYancisco of 8:^ cents per pound. 

It is likely that more than two-thirds of the gross weight of commissary and quartermaster 
stores that go into Arizona arejjurchased in San Francisco. In addition, then, to the 12?^ cents 
per pound, necessary to pay freight to Camp Toll-Gate, would have to be added the cost of freight- 
ing to some point on the Central Pacific Eailroad from San Francisco, or an addition of 2^ cents, 
making 1.5 cents per pound total cost. From this it clearly appears that supplies cannot be 
forwarded on any such line to posts in Northern Arizona, provided they are iiurchased in San 
Francisco. 

The saving in cost of purchase in Chicago, and subsequent shipping to some point on the 
Central Pacific Eailroad selected as a depot, are sulyects upon which even approximate estimates 
cannot be made, since the data are not at my disposal. There could be a saving made, after the 
route is opened, by stopping recruits for Northern Arizona at some point on the raih'oad, and 
having them march overland. This would come from the saving in transportation from said point 
on the Central Pacific Railroad to San Francisco, and thence to Wilmington, Cal., via steamer-5-an 
amount for each recruit of about $5G, coin. We will suppose that there are four hundred recruits 
per year to be distributed ; this would result in a saving of $20,000. 

AGRICULTURAL LANDS. 

These are so few in number and limited in amount, that, although the Ruby Valley meridian 
has been carried to the south as far as the California boundary, still there have been very few- 
places at which sectionizing has yet been called for. Pahranagat Valley has been sectionized by 
these parties, and, upon our return to the vicinity of White Pine, they were at work surveying on 
White River to the east of the mountains in which the Grant district is situated. 

Tiiere is a strip lyiug contiguous to our easterly line that will call for surveys in the future. 
These lands will be principally in Steptoe, Spring, Desert, Cedar, Eagle, Rose, Meadow, and Clover 
Valleys, also those upon the Muddy. 

BUNBRAL-BELTS. 

Through the section traversed there seem to be four distinct and well-defined mineral-belts, 
following a general northerly and southerly course along prominent mountain-ranges. The most 
westerly of these commences on the north with the Diamond range, in which Mineral Hill and 
Pinto Districts are found. In continuation of this range the Eureka District is encountered — a place 
of note. S])ecimens of ore seen at Hamilton were very fine, and the bulk of legitimate reports 
seem favorable. 

Going to the south, Morey and Hot Creek are reached, being in the Hot Creek range. Reveille 
District is also due south, but in different mountains. Then comes a desert, unexplored strip, 
unknown to white men, and but little inhabited by Indians. The old Amargosa mines lie in this 
same southern trend ; also several districts in Inyou County, California. 

The next belt commences with the mines in the Humboldt range — the only ones of any interest 
being in the Cave District facing on to Ruby Valley. Along in order come White Pine, Grant, 
Pahranagat, Tim-Pah-ute, Groom, Timber Mountain, and Yellow Pine, also the Clark District, to 
the south of Yellow Pine and in California. 

The third belt commences at Egau Canon, and following the range of that name, contains the 
Hercules ami Robinson Districts. Going due south the ranges are not so well defined, and nothing 
is met with until El Dorado District is reached. It is believed that there are mineral-showings in 
the Egan range to the northward of Egan Canon, and before the railroad is reached. 

The fourth belt is found mainly in the Schell Creek range. The first known are those in 
Nevada District j then comes the Patterson, from whence the mountains bear a little to the east of 



21 

south, ami tlie Ely mines arc in a brcak-ofl' from tliis range. To the south, antl following this 
trend, no gold or silver mines are known lietwccn the above point and the Colorado. Copper shows 
itself at one or two points. 

Those mines, including the Sacramento, Snake, Shoshone, and Silver Park Districts, that com- 
mence in the Snake range, and follow down along the Fortification Hills, seem to 1)(^ a short, detached 
licit, not so far extended as the others. Above the Ne\ada, and on the Schi'll Creek range, some 
mineral-districts have been found, but few developments are jet known. 

It is more than jirobable that if the general view of the topogra|)hy north of the railroad is dis- 
cussed, these same belts, or a part of tlu-m, will be found to extend far to the northward, following 
the general structure and trend of the noticeable chains of mountains; while below the Colorado, 
as soon as better topography is obtained, no doubt tlieir existence and continuation can be traced. 
A number of prospe(!tors have at one time and another run over these mountains, only the 
more energetic of them striking into the rougher i)arts, where lies the exposure of the mineral. 
For a long time to come new discoveries will be made, all tending to give a more definite char- 
acter and continuity of direction to the mineral belts described. 

INDIANS. 

The various tribes tliat were cncounlercd are as follows: Slioshones,Gosiutes, Snakes, Pah van ts, 
Utes, and Pah-Utes. For their numbers and general information aiMinired, 1 am iiulcbted to the 
guide and interpreter. 

The Shoshones are quite numerous, extending over a large section of country to the south of 
the Humboldt as far east as the meridian of mountains to east of Knby Valley, ami as far south 
as 37 degrees 30 n)inutes of latitude. Small parties of them were seen at Uaileck, Elko, Ruby 
Valley, aiul White Pine. 

The Cosiutes are farther to the eastward and northeast, and extend as far south as the 3Sth 
parallel. 

Again, to the east are the Snakes, closely analogous in disposition, and occupying a narrow 
longitudinal sli|). 

The L'ahvants are found only after tlic Utah line is passed, and most of them are to the east 
and southeast of Preuss Lake — our farthest station in that direction. 

The Indians between Snake and Meadow Valleys are an intermingling of Snakes, or Utes 
proper, and PahUtes, possessing no peculiarities of either, except the treachery of both to a height- 
ened degree. 

On our return trip, the Shoshones weie met again in the vicinity of Tim-Pah-Ute Mountains. 

The number of Indians actually seen <u- accounted for, after leaving White Pine, was a little 
less than 2,500. The bulk of these were not included in the treaty made by Covernor Nye in 1S03 
in Ruby Valley, and have never received any presents. I believe that the greater share of them 
could be, to a certain extent, domesticated upon one reservation, if jnopcrly controlled. In their 
present State, speaking of those below the 38th degree of latitude, the springing up of an intelligent 
and warlike chief would band them together, and for a time, if there was no military interference, 
the lives and properties of the settlers would be in daTiger. 

ELEVATIONS A?;D ritOFILK I.INE. 

The highest ranges of mountains encountered were the Humboldt and Spring Mountain ranges 
— some of the peaks of the former approaching 13,000, while one of the latter nearly reaches 12,000 
feet. Very few of the other noticeable ranges have peaks that show an eh-vation beyond S,.')00 
feet; yet the marked force of the upheaval is as plainly seen, while the accunudation of power at 
particular points is wanting. The foot-hills ou either side show a marked difference, those of the 
western slojie having greater horizontal extension, lesser grades, more grass, wood, aiul timber. 
This is due to the tilting of the strata, that, inclluiug to the westward, present the upturned edges 
of the rock to the denuding force. The eastern slopes, on the other hand, are sharp and abrupt, 
showing sandy washes and rough canons, generally devoid of foliage and vegetation. 

The valley elevation of the Humbohlt near Elko is about ".,100 feet. This increases going 



28 

soutliward, until the divide of the watersheds between the Humboldt or apart of the great interior 
basin from that of the Colorado is reached. In the direct line south, this is in vicinity of 
White Tine. From this point tlie decrease of elevation is quite gradual until about latitude 38 
degrees is reached. From this jioint on to 3C degrees 30 minutes, the fall is more abrupt, while, 
reaching El Dorado Canon on the Colorado, we have passed from an elevation of over 6,000 feet to 
a little less than 900 feet. This fall of itself would necessitate no remarkable grades ; these, where 
found, are near the break of the general mountain trends, appearing as steep divides between con- 
tiguous valleys. 

NAVIGATION OF THE COLORADO. 

The body of the report presents the idea that this stream may be navigated, to good practical 
success, as far as the foot of the Grand Canon. The future, for a long number of years, will hardly 
call for anything of the sort higher than the mouth of the Virgin. 

It is possible that, in case Mormon settlements are pushed into Northern Arizona, the route 
will be by following the grand wash leading from the vicinity of Saint George to the above-named 
crossing, or at the mouth of Paria Creek, and that, for supplying points to the southward, ship- 
ments may come via the river. 

MEANS OP COMMUNICATION. 

On the easterly line of the reconnaissance the roads were more than a fair average of mountain 
roads, until the Valley of the Virgin was reached — superior, in many respects, to the variety of 
roads found in Southern California and Arizona. The approach to tlie desert on either hand brings 
with it sandy roads, washes, alkali flats, and sloughs. 

On this line a railroad can be successfully run to the Colorado liiver. On the more westerly lino 
such a railroad, if intended to be a through communication to the 35th parallel road, in event of 
the latter being built, must join the same at some point west of the Colorado River. On this line 
the road is generally good till White Fine is reached. Tlie same holds good while traversing 
Railroad Valley. Upon leaving this valley, the route follows a good road, principally upon the 
mesa, till its arrival at Crescent Mill ; then comes some of the worst of desert travel. 

The divide necessary to be crossed by a railroad in going from Elko via White Fine and Rail- 
road Valley, in order to reach a valley necessary to continue on an<l come out by Indian Spring 
and Vegas Valley, will be a very serious one. It will be necessary to cross a continuation of the 
White Pine range at a point just below Grant District, or immediately below <,>iiiMn Cailon, 
either of which shows sharp i)rofiles. 

In conclusion, I wish to express my thanks to all the members of the expedition for the able 
and satisfactory manner in which they have a.ssisted in the performance of the duties entrusted 
to my charge. 



PKSCrvTPTTOX OF THE Tvl-XMIXXAL^SANCE. 



The comnicnceineiit liavinj^ been in tlie oaily [lart oC .hine ami the termination in the latter 
part of ifovember, nearly six months were occupied in i)reliminary and actual field labor, wliicli 
])n)ved a proi)iti<>us season, considering' the varied chaiiKi's of teMi|)erature in some of the more 
northerly sections near to, and luntli of, the latitude of ^Vllite Pine. In this \icinity the winters 
are very severe, especially in localities haviufj; a Li};h alliliidc, while the sinnineis are delightful, 
excei)t at some few places at which fogs and winds ])re\ ail. 

The melting of the snows in spring furnishes water in abundance for the waids of vegetation, 
and the bunch-grass, so common among the hills, is in its best condition. (Jur return-trip brought 
us again to this region prior to the harsh snows and severe temperatures of the coming winter; 
while the time at which the immediate ilesert of the t'olorado was reached (in October) was too 
late for the glaring and continuous heat of the midsummer days. 

The greater actual accuracy of prominent points of the survey is in the area north of White 
Piue, since the four jiositions at which longitude by telegraph was obtained form the grouiul- 
work, while the lines that act as bases, going toward the ('olorado, are nearly north and south, 
giving fewer chances for a great error in longitude, where alone errors of any considerable mag- 
nitude arise. 

The use; of the little (iehl theotlolitc, const iin^ted especially for reconnaissance-work, has proven 
to be such a great improvement that very little chairgc between the positions, as obtained Irom 
the results of the astronomical work and the meanders, was necessary to be made. The porta- 
bility of the instruinent and the accuracy of its readings recommend it at once as an almost indis. 
pensable article for exploring jtarties, and to their use the accuracy of the jiresent reconnaissance 
has been greatly due. 

The daily march varied from ten to thirty miles; the survey paiti<'s, in extreme cases, have 
been managed independently of the main party, falling back upon it for supiilies. 

The traveled roads or trails, carefully meandered and measured by odometers, form the ba.se- 
line for the tiiangulated points, the stations never exceeding two or two and a half miles ai)art, 
and such distances only occuiring in valleys where the road was nearly straight. 

The magnetic bearings were corrected by tiuding the variation of the needle at every camj). 

The heights of the prondnent peaks have generally been determined by using angles of eleva- 
tion taken from points on the l)ase-line, the elevations of w Inch have been determined from baro- 
metric work. This has been modified at points where peaks could be ascended, and here barometric 
readings have been used, and advantage of such occasions has been taken to triangulate to distant 
peaks that, at times, could be distinctly dclined against tiie horizon at a distance of one hundred 
and fifty miles. Stone moniiincnts liave been elected at these stations as reference-jwints for the 
future. 

The necessities of the march and the desire to traverse as largo an area as possible have 
caused in some cases a deliciency of tojiographical detail, while, on the other hand, the general 
features as regards positions of prominent points, and i»ractical information, arc of a sullicicntly 
accurate uatnro to answer all present wants. 

PKIJSONNEL. 

First Lieut. George M. Wheeler, Corps of Engineers, in charge ; First Lieut. D. \V. Lock- 
wood, Corps of Engineers, executive oflicer and astronomical assistant; I'. AV. llamcl, principal 



30 

topographer; Carl liaskopfif, assistant topographer; C. E. Fellerer, assistant; Wm. M. Ord, 
assistant, with the necessary number of guides, packers, laborers, &c., and an escort of two non- 
commissioned officers and twenty-three enlisted men of Company H, Eighth United States Cavalry. 

LONGITUDE BY TELEGEAPH. 

While sextants and chronometers are the most accurate instruments that can be readily trans- 
]>orted by parties moving rapidly in the field, and latitude can be determined sufficiently accurate 
for ordinary practical purposes by their use, the question of longitude is exceedingly uncertain, 
since so very strange are some of the inaccuracies of rate in the chronometers that, no matter how 
many are used, the results must be accepted with caution. Being well aware of tliese facts, 
arrangements were made, while preparing for the season's work, to take advantage of the telegraph, 
to find out at any moment the local errors of the chronometers upon San Francisco time. It was 
deemed possible to accomplish this at four points, viz, Elko, Peko, lluby, and Hamilton. With 
the two latter places the lines of the Western Union Telegraph Company connect, and through 
the kindness of the managers at San Francisco, Messrs. Mumford, Ladd, and Yountz, permission 
was granted for the use of their lines, and a letter of instructions to their agents in lluby Yalley 
and Hamilton was furnished ; besides, they very kindly arranged,' through Mr. Yaudenberg, at Sac- 
ramento, the superintendent of the lines of the Central Pacific Railroad, to connect, so that a com- 
plete circuit should exist between San Francisco and points on the Central Pacific Eailroad, near 
Camp Halleck. Prof. George Davidson, United States Coast Survey, whose kindness in this 
matter is worthy of many thanks, offered to take charge of the signals at San Francisco, but he 
was obliged to start on his trip to the North to observe during the solar eclipse. Prior to our 
reaching Camp Halleck, j\laj. H. M. Robert, Corps of Engineers, having been spoken to upon this 
matter, his co operation was at once enlisted, and, out of the five times that telegraphing was done, 
he was at the key during four of them ; the other, being the one at Elko, was superintended 
through the kindness of Capt. H. J. Rogers, United States Coast Survey. 

The scheme for attaining accui'acy in the recording of the signals was furnished by Professor 
Davidson, of the Coast Survey, a copy of which is herewith given. 

PROGRAMME FOR DETERMINATION OF DIFFERENCE OF LONGITUDE BY TELEGRAPH BETWEEN SAN 
FRANCISCO, CAL., AND STATIONS IN NEVADA— PROPOSED BY PK< )F. GEORGE DAVIDSON, UNITED 
STATES COAST SURVEY. 

Lieutenant Wheeler to telegraph to San Francisco immediately upon his arrival at any station, 
and say when he will be ready to receive signals. 

To receive them he will have his chronometer ready at the telegraph-office. When Professor 
Davidson or JMaJor Robert is ready, he will send message to Elko, or the station, to that effect, 
and, after preliminaries, for a few minutes will carry out the following programme: Professor Da- 
vidson or Major Robert : Rattle, rattle, rattle ; interval of fifteen seconds ; then transmit one signal 
of which Lieutenant Wheeler must note the time by his chronometer ; a second signal fifteen 
seconds later, and so on, one signal every fifteen seconds for three minutes, then three rattles to 
close. 

Then Lieutenant Wheeler will send to Professor Davidson or Major Robert a similar set of 
signals at given times, of fifteen seconds apart, for three minutes by his chronometer. Professor 
Davidson or ]\Iajor Robert will then send San Francisco time of his first and last signal, also the 
error of his chronometer on San I'^iancisco time. 

Lieutenant Wheeler will send his chronometer-time of first and last signals and the error of 
his chronometer, if obtained ; if not known, then he will transmit it by rail as soon as ascertained. 

When Lieutenant \\heeler returns Irom his trii) this programme can be repeated previous to 
his return to-San Francisco. 

The above .scheme has been carried out, and the following tables show the details of the 
results : 



31 



Signalt/or longitude by Megraph between Piko, Kev., and Sun Francinco, Cat., June 30, 1809 — 9.30 to 10.20 p. 







.-■ ■ 


>.~:. 








St: 


•°. s s 




Date. 


Station. 


trail am it 
jor Rube 
meter. 


is! 

^ a Z 


















s^ § 


^ s « 


ij 
















i^-% 


.g5S 


s 






H 


H 


Q 


1869. 




h. m. s. 


/t. m. s. 


(. 


June 30 


Peko, Nev 


10 32 0. 


10 31 36.2 

10 31 31.3 

33 06. 4 

32 31. 3 

32 3G. 2 

32 31. 2 

33 06. 1 
33 21. 2 
33 36.3 

33 51. 1 

34 06. 1 
34 21.3 

in 34 36. 3 


33.8 
33.7 
23.6 
23. 7 
23.8 
23.8 
23.9 
23.8 
23.7 
2J.9 
23.9 
23.8 
33.8 




' 


10 35 0. 


Aleau. 


23.8 



Beniarks. 



Tlimuyh ropt'otcTfl at TVatlflworth, Nl'v. 
E.Htimatfil (It'luy thiuii;;li uuo set ol' repeaters ^ 

0".04. 
Operator nt Poko, "Mr. Wood ; opornt'ir jit San 

Francisco, Mitjor Kubert, IT. S. Engincora, luid 

nnknowu. 
Mi^or RobiTt'a tinioelovr of Sau FrauciBCo moan 

timo at time of observation =: 2-1". 5. 
23".P + 24".5 ~ 48".3 clironomoter 1283 slow on 

San Francisco mean time. 



Bate. 



1869. 
Jano 30 



'.2 



Sail Francisco 



San Francisco . 
Peko, Nev 



h. m. a, 
10 33 30. 00 
10 33 6. 30 



a 



h. m. ». 
+0 34. 50 

+0 38 33. 59 



It. f». 0. 

10 33 54. 50 

11 1 31.79 



S 



Lonptudeof Snn Francisco 

Correction of chronometer for midnight of June 30, +28'° 23*.49 ; rate, 3'.40 gaining per day. 

Final difference of lousitiide for Peko, Nev 

Or 



Means. 



A m. 9. 



27 37. 27 



8 9 3ei.33 



7 42 0. 96 
U5030'14".50 



32 



SignaUfor longitude by hhgruph belweeii Jilko, .Y(i'., and San Fnmiisco, Cal., July 1, 1S()9. 







a o u 


o - 2 








Date. 


Station. 


g b § 


® rt o 

f- c S 

C O .to 




o 

a 
© 


Kemarks. 


1869. 




It. VI. 8. 


ft. m. «. 




«. 




July 1 


Elko, ttev 


9 57 00. 


9 56 37. 1 




22.9 


Through repeater at Wadsworth, Xev. 
Operators at San Francisco, Captain Kpdgfsrs. 






52.1 




22.9 








57 7.1 




22.85 


United States Coast Survey, and Mr. Ladd, Sec- 








22.15 




22.9 


retary 'Western Union Telegraph Company ; at 








37.1 




22.9 


Elko, Messrs. Irwin and Stewart. 








52.1 




22.9 


22".95+25".3 = 48".25, chronometer 12^3 slow on 








58 7.1 




33.9 


San Francisco moan time. 








S2.2 




22.9 


Rate during interval, +0".n5; not entirely to be 








37.1 




22.9 


depended upon, as the signals at Peko were 








52.1 




22. 9 


neither aspeifect nor as satisfactory as at Elko. 






10 0.0 


59 37. 1 
llean. 




22.9 
22.9 






Signal. 


Lieutenant 
"Wheeler. 


Captain 
Kodgers. 








h. m. s. 


ft. m. s. 




S. 




First 


10 1*2 15 


10 1'"* 38 




**3 






Last . 


10 15 15 


10 15 38 




23.0 


» 




Date. 


Signals sent from— 


J, 

c 


a 


1 

1 

a 


a 
i 
1 

o 


1 

2 3 

1 


a 
> 

el 

Is 

s 

3 


Means. 


1869. 






A. m. s. 


ft. 


VI. .-i. 


h. m. s. 


h. m. s. 




ft. m. s. 


July 1 


San Frnnrisco. 


San Francisi'o 


58 30. 00 


+ 


25. 30 


fl 58 55. 30 












Elko 


9 58 7. 10 


+0 


27 21. 01 


10 25 31. 11 


26 35. 81 








Elko,^'OT 


San Francisco. 


10 14 8. 00 


+0 


25. 30 


10 14 33. 30 










Elko.Nev 


FU 




10 13 45. 00 


4-n 


27 23.98 








26 35. 75 










Lonpitude of San Francis 


CO 


8 9 3S.23 


Correction of chronomctc 


r for midnight of Julys, -t-27"' iil\34 


rate per day, 2».50 gaining; therefore the 


above corrections. 












7 43 2. 48 
115°45'37".20 


Or 









33 



Signals for longitude by telegraph between Ruby, Nev., and San Francisco, Cah, July 9, 1869, 







11 S 

Pi 


■3.S 








Date. 


Station. 


Time of trn 
by Lieut 
er's chroo 


Time of rec 
Major 
cbronome 


6 

»2 


Remarks. 




1869. 




h. m. ». 


h. m. 9. 


>. 






July 9 


Raby, Nev 


10 28 45 


10 29 02 8 


017 8 


Operator at Ruby, Mr. Anderson. 
Operator at San Franoisoo, M^or 






10 29 00 






Robert and 






10 29 15 






Mr. Sawyer. 








10 29 30 






Lieutenant Wboeler'a chronometer 1263, alow on 






10 29 45 






San Francisco mean time, 49 seconds. 






10 30 00 














10 30 IS 














10 30 3D 














10 30 45 














10 31 00 














10 31 IS 














10 31 30 














10 31 45 


10 32 02. 8 
Mean. 


017.8 
17.9 






Date. 


1 

S 
c 
C 

a 

(S 

•a 
5 
in 


i 

•3 
O 

(2 


a 

II 

Z t 

o ~ 

IS 


.1 
1 
i 

e 


i 

o 


I 
1 

5 


E 

> 
if 

3 
O 

o 


Means. 


1869. 






h. m. 3. 


h, m. s. 


A. m. ». 


h. m. $. 


t. 


h. m. e. 


Jnly 9 


Ruby. Nev 


Kuby.Nev.... 


10 30 IS. 00 


+0 28 22. 70 


10 58 37. 76 










Kuby.Nev.... 


San Francisco. 


10 30 32. 80 


+0 31.20 


10 31 4. 00 27 33. 70 


0.04 


27 31. 78 




8 9 38. 23 


Correction of chronometer for midnieht of Joly 9, +28»23".66; rate, 2«. 40 gaining per day. 


Final ditference of longitude for Ruby, Nov 


7 42 4. 45 


Or 


115° 31' C".75 





O Vf 



34 



Signals for longitude ly telegraph ietween Hamilton, Nev., and San Francisco, Cal., November 19, 1869. 



Date. 


Station. 


Time of transmittal, 
b,v Major Kobert's 
chronometer. 


Time of receival, by 
LientenanfWbeel- 
er's chronometer. 


£ 
(5 


Remarks. 


1669. 






h. 7/1. ». 


h. m. 8. 


s. 




Nov. 19 






5 12 


9 15 38. 1 




Operator.? at Hamilton, Nov., Messrs. IngaUs and 










53.0 




Henderson ; at San Francisco, Major Robert 










16 08. 1 




and . 










23.1 




Chronometer No. 1283, at 10 p. m., acoordiug to 










38.1 




M.Tjor Robert's signals, = 6» 20°.9 ; according to 










53.1 




Lieutenant Wheeler's signals, = 6" 20°.5 ; mean 










17 08. 1 




error (fast) = C» 20°.7. 










23.0 














37.9 














52.9 














18 08. 














23.1 












5 15 0» 


9 18 38. 1 


4 03. 38 






Signals. 


Transmitted 
by Lieuten- 
ant "Wheeler. 


Received by 
Major Rob 
ert. 


Differ- 
ence. 








h. m. s. 


h. m. B. 


h. m. s. 




First 


... 


9 29 30 


5 25 52.3 








Last 




9 32 30 


5 28 52.3 


i 03 37. 7 






Date. 


ca 

0) 

1 


i 

1 
1 


a 

s . 

S-.fc 
."8 


a 
o 
S 

1 

a 


6 
.J 

1 


•a 
1 

£ 
5 


Donble-wave time. 


Means. 


1869. 






h. -m. s. 


h. m. s. 


h. m. s. 


h. m. s. 




ft. m. J. 


Nov. 19 


San Francisco. 


SanFranciaco. 


9 13 30. 00 


-0 2 41.54 


9 10 48. 46 










SanFranciaco, 


HamUtou 


9 17 8.05 


+0 20 59. 55 


9 38 7. 60 


27 19. 14 








Hamilton 


San Francisco. 


9 27 22. 30 


-0 2 41.54 


9 24 20. 76 










Hamilton 


Hamilton 


9 31 0. 00 


-f 20 59. 52 


9 51 59. 52 


18.76 




27 18. 95 


Longitude of San Francis 
There are made four sets 


CO 


8 9 38. 23 


of observations for time by equal altitxides, giving a mean correction for the 


chronometer of SO^ 3vl 


) .slow at 11».7 into noon. This observation was made at Monte Christo Mills on 




the 18th of November 


The cbronometer was then carried over to Hamilton for exchange, conse- 




qnently the difference 


)f longitude between San Francisco and Monte Christo Mills is obtained. The 




rate of the chronometei 


wa.s at this time 2'.57 per day, gives the corrections for the chniuometer as used 




above. 






Final diflerence of longitt 
Or 




7 42 19. 28 




1I50 34'49".SO 





It may be considered as a distinctive feature of the present reconnaissance that, althougli the 
instruments for taking astronomical observations have been limited to sextants and chronometers, 
yet, by the use of the telegraph, results have been attained that compare favorably with those that 
'would be expected from a more extended series of observations with more perfect astronomical 
instruments, and opportunity aflbrded for determining with more certainty the rate of the chro- 
nometers upon which the les.ser or greater accuracy of the approximate longitudes to the south- 
ward depend. 



35 



SEXTANT ASTRONOJEIOAL OBSERVATIONS. 

* 

Latitude olmervatiori.s were made at most of the camps vyheie tlie party remaine<l for a single 
iiiglit by iiieau.s of the sextant ; tlie determination for time depeuiling upon single altitude observa- 
tions of the stars or equal altitudes of the sun, including several points at \vhi(!h equal altitudes of 
stars were also obtained. For latitude, either polaris was ob.served and also a south star, or circuni- 
rncridian altitudes of the sun with a south star or stars. The method emi)loyerl in reduction is giveu 
in these tables, special blank forms having been prepared for the use of the e.vpeditiou. 

The accuracy of these observations is proven to be very great, aud the results compare uot 
unfavorably with tho.se obtained by the use of the zenith telescope. 

For illustration, the following siugle results for latitude at a given point, determined during 
different days, are submitted : 

Camp 7, {near Camp Ruby.) 

Obsbbveb, Lieutekant Wueeler. 



Date. 


Latitude N. 


Method employed. 


July 9-10. 1869 

July 11 1869 


' II 

40 03 55.60 
46.43 
45.99 
42.27 
47.01 


Polaris. 

Polaris. 

Cirf^um-moridian altitudes. 

Ciroum-meridian altitudes. 

Polaris. 


Jnly 11 1869 


July 12 1869 


July 12 1669 





Mean latitude, 40° 03' 4r'.46 ± 1".45. 



INDIANS. 

All the Indians through Southern Nevada may be termed "Mountain Indians," in contradis- 
tinction to those that inluibit the valleys or plains, or live along the ocean-.shore. The habits, 
dispositions, and mental characteristics of all the Indians that I have encountered on tlie Pacific 
Slope seem to be governed largely by the topography of the country and the principal articles used 
as food, the latter undoubtedly having the greater cfl'ect. 

The mountain Indians are more hardy, intelligent, shrewd, and cunning, generally going into 
the valleys to plant and harvest, returning to their mountain-retreats after gathering their .slender 
crops. They make up the deficit in food from nuts and acorns, rarely eating roots. The well-known 
Digger Indians of the California valleys formerly subsisted in the main upon roots and plants, aud 
to them pine-nuts aud ■•icorus were a great luxury. They were aud arc a filtliy, sluggistiniinded, 
disgusting race. Certain other shore Indians, closely allied in general wortlilessness of character 
to the Diggers, subsist upon fish aud any refuse or olfal'found along the shore, together with sea- 
weed and various .sea-roots and plants. They inhabit the northern coasts of Cidiforuia ai'd Oregon. 

The mouutaiu Indians of Nevada and Itlaho, as a general rule, have been endowed by nature 
with more of the civilized instincts than those fonnd below the ColoratU) River; and, in fact, it is 
not unlikely that a provisional latitudinal distinction, modified by the form and extent of the 
drainage basins, may be made general in its application to all tribes west of the Rocky Mountains. 

With the development and population of countries like Arizona, the Indian will become im- 
pressed with the fact that warlike aggre.s.sioii or resistance will be futile; and the submis.sive 
Apache of a few years hence will be found to difier but little from the tame Ute and Tali-Ute of to- 
day. 

Our guide and interpreter, Henry Butterfield, a thorough master of the Shoshone and Gosiute 
tongues, succeeded in gaining a pretty accurate census of the "wickeups" at which the Indians 
were found at home. His estimate of those enumerated was very nearly two thous;iTul five hun- 
derd ; and it is not unsafe to suppose that at least this number are permanent inhabitants of the 
area surveyed. 



36 

THE SHOSHONES. 

This tribe has ranged along the BDamboldt for years, branching out here and there to the south 
and east, and at other points to the north and west, but looking' to the valley of the Humboldt as 
their base. They are quite numerous, aud consist of as many as 5,000, all told. Their headquar- 
ters is near Winnemucea, named after their old chief, still living. But few of these fellows were 
seen. Their habits alid appearance are well known, as they can be uoticed at any station along 
the railroad, from Humboldt Wells to Wadsworth. They extend as far to the south as Tim-pah- 
ute Mountain, and to the east as Ruby Valley. A party of some two hundred Indians, under the 
leadership of a chief named Blackhawk, were tilling the laud in Snake Valley, and professed to be 
Snakes or Shoshones ; wished to be peaceable, and to receive agricultural implements. The chief? 
thinking he might etiect something of this sort, returned witii our party to the camp in Cave Val- 
ley, and then went into Hamilton to see the superintendent of Indian affairs. 

GOSIUTES. 

This is not a numerous tribe, consisting of not more than 400, with headquarters at Deep 
Creek. They i-ange no farther to the south than 38° latitude, nor to the east thim Sevier Lake 
Desert, confining themselves mainly to the mountains bordering o i Spring, Steptoe, Sierra, and 
Gosiute Valleys. They differ in no material way from the Shoshones, the lauguage being similar, 
and habits and disi)ositions the same, always having lived at peace with each other. 

Utir first guide, Pogo, was a youug buck taken from this tribe, who accompanied us as far as 
Patterson District. He was lazy aud good-natured, possessed of more thau ordinary ludiau intelli- 
gence, and perfectly hapi)y while with us, since he was all the time well supplied with provisions. 

The Indian names of the different peaks, ranges, and natural objects have been changed when 
possible to their English signification, since few of the former possess a claim even to euphony. 

Big Horse is the name of the chief of the Gosiutes, and he, with quite a baud, was at Deep 
Creek, to the north of the Snake range, and above our line of travel. Freshly deserted Indian 
camps showed that they had fed at our approach, and we were told by white settlers that they 
held the soldiers in the greatest awe and reverence. 

THE PAHVANTS 

are quite a numerous tribe, living entirely in Utah, and to the south and east of the Sevier 
Lake Desert. Cutting across the Mormon settlements, in a northeasterly direction, we did not 
come immediately in contact with any of their wick-e-ups, butour guide, Adabe, who went with us 
from Cave Valley to Prenss Valley and return, sighted the smoke of some of their camps, and paid 
them a visit on our behalf. They did not seem desirous of a close acquaintance with the soldiers. 
Their chief, Blackhawk, is a shrewd and warlike old fellow, and when the Mormons will not give 
him and his band all tiie meat that they wish, he immediately retires to the hills, declares war, 
aud levies contributions. I am toUl that in physical structure they are superior to most of the 
Indians of the great interior basin, approaching the athletic qualities of the Mojaves. It is likely 
that this statement should be taken with some caution. 

Their lauguage is not understood by. either the Snakes, Shoshones, or Gosiutes, the latter 
supposed to be branches of the great Snake tribe. «* 

TJTES OR PIEDES. 

The Ptes, Utahs, or Piedes, as they have sometimes been called, are a roving, treacherous 
Indian. They are found from Pahranagat Valley to the mouth of the Virgin River as the 
most westerly line of their country, extending to the north and east along the different lines of 
Mormon settlements as high up as 38° north latitude, thence stretching out to the eastward as far 
as the Grand River, and bounded on the south and east by the Colorado proper. 

Their number, all told, is variously estimated from three to five thousand; some six or seven 
hundred were found along our route. 



37 

Au old fellow by the name of Tosliob was chief of these banils on the Muddy; a wily, treacher- 
ous, cold-blooded old scamp, who was well known to have been the lender of the Indians that were 
en<;at;ed in the " Mountain Meadow massacre," that horrible murder of iieli>iess emigrants, both 
male and female, old and young. The details of this dreadful occurrence were gleaned here and 
there, and, when fully known, for all coming history will staiul out as one of the most disgusting 
pictui-es of human baseness. 

The Utes or Piedes cultivate the soil, are at war with no particular tribe, and, excepting the fact 
that they are great thieves, and treacherous to a heightened degree, even for an Indian, do not differ 
greatly from others of these mountain tribes. They have no hesitation to rob, plunder, and mur- 
der, piovided they are not found out, while their sagacity teaches them the advantages to be gained 
from the reputation of "good Indians." They have a most wonderful antipathy against Germans, 
whom they cjin tell at a glance, and no one of this nationality can get past their habitations without 
a good chance of losing everything he has in the way of jiersonal effects. I know of no manner iu 
which to e.\i)lain the above except that this tribe has been for long years at enmity with the >>'ava- 
joes, who have been iu the habit of crossing the Colorado and making inroads upon the Utes and 
Piedes, taking their stock, squaws, or anything el.se, anil then beating a hasty retreat. It is a 
legend among these Indians that the Navajoes at one time captured a large (lerman emigrant- 
train, killing all the men and taking the women to their villages, and thereby created a changed 
race of bad blood, they say ; and possibly in their own minds they tliiid< that all their troubles with 
the Navajoes have arisen in conseipu-iu'e. These Utes w Piedes had killed two men in a canon leail- 
iug into one that we traversed from Jleadow \'alley to the JIuddy settlements. These were travel- 
ers with good horses. The Indians who were supposed to have been concerned had left their wick- 

e-ups and lied. 

PAH-UTES. 

The Pah-Utes, or WaterUtes, .are a tribe not differing in any marked way from the Utes, and, 
like them, of strong physical build, a lively, bright, black eye, rather thin front face and more aqui- 
line contour, bespeaking acuter mental characteristics than mostof the Indiansof the great mountain 
basin. Their eastern limit is the western one of the Utes or Piedes ; the Colorado bounds them on the 
south, and tothe north and west, theGreat Death Valley of Southwestern Nevada, that almost extends 
to and joins Death Valley proper in California. Wo found their wick-e-up at Las Vegas Kanch, 
at various points on the Spring ^Mountain range, and some few at Eldorado Canon ami below, 
in and about Cottonwood Island. There cannot be more than two thousand in all, the in-inci- 
pal chief of whom is Tercherum, an honest, well dispositioned, chunky little man, who .seemed to 
have but little authority outside of his own small number of wicke-nps. 

For the most part they are a wicked, sau(;y, and indepentlent set. They have seen and mixed 
with many white-s, principally on the old emigrant road ; know well the value of mouej', and have a 
great desire for clothes and blankets. They make frequent pilgrimages, and always return well 
laden with spoils, both in wardrobe and funds. They plant but little, living for the greater part on 
piuenuts, which are vei*?!' i)lentiful, and by hunting, which around these mountains is better than 
at any point along the route. By a little good management they could be collected together and 
made a self-supporting peoi)le. No presents, so far as I could learn, have been made to any of 
these Indians to the south of 38° latitude, or Quinn's Canon, to which ])()iut it is understood that 
the treaty made by Governor, now Senator, Nye, in 1803, extended. 

It is hoped that the information at present gained, and which may be acquired by careful 
attention on the part of the superintendent of Indian affairs for Nevada, will .soon give to these 
Indians the same annuities that others receive throughout the State ; and it will have a great 
effect iu quieting not only them, bnt the apprehension felt by settlers who occupy, in small parties, 
here and there, ranches, upon which the Indians at any time are aitt to levy contributions. 

CLIMATE. 

The climate of the area in question, embracing .such a large stretch in latitude, is necessarily 
varied. There mav be two natural limits assumed, as that between which snow does and does not 



38 

appear along the low foothills. The dividing line should be taken on a parallel with the head of 
Pahranagat Valley, although now and then a thin coating of snow has been known around Hyko. 

The northern section shows more variation of temperature ; the division into the wet and dry 
seasons is not so marked, and the intense cold noticed at higli altitudes is iu great contrast to the 
heat of the summer's day in the valleys. The biennial rains occur, however, and snow frequently 
appears instead of rain in the winter season. 

At altitudes not exceeding 7,000 feet, and there are but few points liable to be inhabited at a 
much gi-eater elevation, the maximum of temperature in summer will not exceed 100° Fahrenheit, 
while iu winter the mercury rarely fails more than 15° below the zero-point. 

Below the line of demarkation mentioned the biennial i-ains are strongly marked, occurring 
principally in the mouths of July and January. After leaving our camp in Cave Valley, Septem- 
ber 1, until reaching Indian Spring, October 25, there was not a single day of rain; at this point 
there were a few showers, followed by clear sky, until White Pine was again reached. 

The thermometer in the heat of summer often reaches from 118° to 120° in the shade at mid- 
day ui)on the Colorado. The clear, pure atmosphere, so extremelj' dry, renders this excess of tem- 
perature more endurable than an atmospiiere iu the Eastern States not exceeding 95° Fahrenheit. 
The glare of the sun, however, as reflected from the sandy washes and bare rocks, is very trying 
to tiie eyesight. Ice at times formed at points as far south as Las Vegas Springs, but only in thin 
films. It seems unfortunate that up to this time there should have been so few facilities for study- 
ing the climatology of the great interior basins of the American Continent, which, of course, can 
only be done after extensive series of atmospheric observations have been taken over long intervals. 
It would seem not ill-advised that a system should be adopted by the Government iu selecting 
marked stations at which to commence and continue these series, though it be at considerable cost. 

The following-named mining-districts in Nevada were visited. Tiie results of the examina- 
tions will be published in Volume I, of the series of Reports, which volume will also contain all the 
mining information gathered up to the close of the fleld-seasou of 1873. 



Name. 


No. of 
Atlas-sheet. 


By whom examined. 


Remarks. 




49 
49 
49 

58 
49-58 
49 
58 
58 
66 
58 
66 
66 
49 
58 
58 
58 
58 
58 


Lieut. G. M. Wheeler. 
do 




White Piue 






do 






do 




Snake 


do 






do .. 


Also in 1872. 




do 




Ely 


do 


Also in 1871 '72 


Colorado _ 


... .do 




Tim-pah-ute .- 


do 


Also iu 1871 


Yellow Piue , 


do 


do 


Timber Monutiiiii 


do 




Hercules 


. do 




Pahranagat Lake , 


. do 


Also in 1871 


Reveille ,_ 


do • 




Hot Creek 


.do 


Also iu 1871 




do 


do 


Grant 


do . . . . 











HEIGHT OF MOUNTAIN-RANGES. 



• This description must be limited to the most prominent of the ranges which have been 
examined. 

HUMBOLDT RANGE. 

Beginning on the north, we find it to be the most remarkable and well-defined range that 
belongs to this latitude, between the Sierras and the Wahsatch range. It has its northern limit at 
the Central Pacific Railroad, near Humboldt Wells, and passing nearly due south, breaks away a 
little below Hastings Pass, where it is traversed by tiie old overland road, into a succession of low, 
broken hills and ridges, pretty well covered with cedar and nut-pine, fit for fuel. The highest peaks 



39 

attain an elevation of about 12,500 feet, and on their northern slopes snow remains during the 
entire year. Little lakes, fed by snow-water, are found at great elevations in the natural basins 
near the summits of the highest peaks, and present a very picturesfjuc apiiearance. The western 
slope of these mountains, unlike many farther to the soutlnvard, is well furnished with living 
streams of pure water abounding with mountain-trout. Here and there the cafions have a showing 
of pine timber of considerable size, while the foothills at a variety of places are densely packed 
with wood for fuel purposes. 

EGAJ* AND SCHELI, CREEK RANGES. 

These are well defined in height and direction, exteiuling for long distances, passing either 
side of Steptoe Valley on the nortli, then Cave ^'alley, below which the names change; l)ut a suc- 
cession of ranges, nearly parallel to the route projected for a railroa<l to the montli of the Virgin 
River, may be said to bo a contiiumtioii of these ranges. Tlie elevation at any of tiie points meas- 
ured exceeds in uo instance more than 11,1200 feet, wiiile 8,000 feet is tlie average height. Timber 
is found at several points, while at many others wood for fuel abounds. 

SUPERIOR LIMIT IN ALTITUDE OF VEGETATION. 

By measurements taken along the flanks of Jeff. Davis (now Wheeler's) Peak, the height 
given for tliis limit was 11,500 feet above sea-level. The latitude is 38° 58', or in round numbers, 
39° north latitude. 

Some few specimens of the species Miimdus, Moschaios, were found at a greater elevation 
clinging to damp i)laccs in the rocks, where evidently nothing of the shrub variety could exist. 

Observations taken on the top of llamel's Peak, on tlie Egau range, show this to have been 
a little more than 11,200 feet. The top is here quite bare, and the latitude is but little farther 
nortli. Unquestionably, had the height been greater, tlie vegetation would have crept as high as 
in the former instance, and it is safe to assume that tlie juactical limit of vegetation among the 
mountains of Nevada for parallel 39^ is not far from 11,500 feet above sea-level. 

AGRICULTURAL LANDS. 

Of the twenty-six valleys visited during the season, ranging in elevation from 2,000 to 7,000 
feet, but a few of the number possess much agricultural area now tilled. The entire area covered 
by the reconnaissance was nearly a blank upon the map at the time of starting for our season's 
work; was but little known even to the energetic jirospector who had penetrated into the in- 
terior of the State of Nevada, and agricultural industry itself was but slowly coming into form in 
any part of that State, principally mineral in its luodiictions. A few hardy jiioneers in stock-raising 
had brought their herds over from Texas, via Ualitornia, and otliers dissatisfied, or lacking room in 
that State, had sought their way into the high mountain valleys, as it had but lately been fouml 
that they would sustain stock during the winter period, which results largely from the fact that the 
tops of the white sage, made nutritive and palatable by frost, emerge above the snow that falls 
during the winter season, and is usually available in large quantities. 

Ill Ruby Valley many settlers had pre-empted and acipiired title to lands proving to be among 
the most protluctive of any in the State. Indeed, this valley probably possesses a greater number 
of arable acres than any other in the State of Nevada. All lands noted require irrigation, except 
those in the lower part of Pahranagat Valley, an exceptional spot, where a thonuigli degree of 
saturation is obtained because of the large How of water from the thermal springs that break out 
ill dillerent parts of the same. Along the lines of greatest depression in most of the valleys visited, 
alluvial beds of greater or less extent occur, and the limit to their cultivation, except where alka- 
line matters are in excess, is only governed by the amount of water-supply for irrigation that may 
be made available naturally, since ranching has been taken up in a very desultory manner, with 
few points for a market, and with little enterprise. Usually a ranchero, turning miner upon the 
firsst excitement, and only returning to his ranch when all else fails, but lew of the elements that 
nature presents have been taken advantage of, and irrigation, when applied, has been only of the 



40 

rudest kind, not following any definite plan. The cereals, corn, potatoes, and many vegetables 
grow with certainty and yield largely, notably in Uuby, Pahranagat, Spring, Snake, Duck Lake, 
Cedar, Eose, Eagle, and Meadow Valleys. In Pahranagat Valley the production of potatoes and 
other vegetables, in size and amount, is prodigous, equaling the richest parts of Calitornia. At 
the time of our reaching White Pine, many ranches had been established in the little valleys of 
erosion within a radius of twenty-live and thirty miles, and their productions found a ready market 
in the little mining towns around that camp. Later, most of these ranches were used for stock 
purposes ouly, as the little market of White Pine commenced in the latter part of the season of 
1809 to grow less and less, until from seven thousand souls in the district in 1869, it was reduced to 
less than one thousand in 1872, all told. 

The mountain graraa-grasses, so common in the plateau and other portions of Arizona, were 
not noted anywhere this year. The mountain bunch-grass that extends from Montana to the Mex- 
ican boundary on the south, varying as to altitude in its different geogi'aphical distribution, was 
noted on every mountain side, without exception, throughout the entire season. Usually it was 
scant between the lower loot-hills of the valleys and along routes much traveled this season, but 
thousands, and indeed millions, of acres of this lay along our routes, but little of which was available, 
however, at this time for grazing because of the want of water; for cattle alone, in many cases 
this can be remedied. This is especially true of Spring, Duck Lake, and Snake Valleys, in which, 
with success, in my opinion, at many points along the profile of greatest depression, artesian wells 
could be sunk, bringing sufficient water to the surface for grazing and mining purposes, if not suffi- 
cient for irrigation on a small scale. In many of the valleys, as will be noted where they are 
described, the excess of alkaline materials prevents any cultivation whatever ; especially has this 
been the fact in the valley of the Muddy, where two or three crops have been necessary in order to 
eliminate from the soil alkaline and saline constituents found in excess, by volatilization and 
absorption. When this has been done the soils prove to be of the richest. The richness in growth 
of the artemisia, or ordinary sage, is a sure indication of the value of the soil which sustains it. 

In the slight mesas after reaching no more than 25 or 30 feet above the valleys of the little 
streams covered with a light growth of sage, usually possessing soil partially limestone, with other 
parts made up from the lava-rocks, are among those soils most certain to be useful for cultivation 
when water can be applied. It is to be noted that in the entire area surveyed the amount of valley 
to mountain area bears but a small ratio. This is extremely unfortunate, since but a small fraction 
of any of the mountain areas, either from want of arability or on account of altitude, will ever be 
susceptible of cultivation. A hindorance arises from the fact that the larger portion of the detrital 
valleys are underlaid with a series of permeable beds usually consisting of washed gravels, to 
which is due the fact that most of the streams, when emerging from the mountains through their 
canon beds disappear, princiiially by percolation. Therefore, should it be possible to raise to the 
surface underground beds of water that certainly must exist in places, an attempt to distribute 
them would, in most cases, be futile from this cause. Hence, when irrigation comes, as come it 
will, the utmost care must be exercised ; first, as to profile, at which a point for boring will be 
selected ; second, the proximity of this point to beds likely to be underlaid by impermeable strata. 
The latter point is not difficult of detection by a study of the formatiou of surrounding rock-beds, 
cross-.sections of which can usually be obtained. 

Our time and means were both too limited to attempt the measuring of profiles bearing upon the 
subject of water-supply, and no general survey can in fact take cognizance of a matter of this kind 
unless directed to special parts of valley-areas where earlier examinations have indicated the pos- 
sibility of obtaining a water-supply from beneath the surface. The land-surveys had penetrated but 
little into any of the valleys traversed this year, with the exception of Ruby and Pahranagat Val- 
leys. The map delineates new and unknown sections both to the emigrant, settler, and miner, and 
to the land department, affording them preliminary knowledge most necessary in pushing forward 
their surveys, which are necessarily done across broken sections full of almost impassable obstacles, 
to the newer and more unsettled parts of the State or Territory in which they are operating. The 
stock raised in this section of Nevada is princi])ally confined to cattle and sheep, with a few horses 
and mules. The former thrive exceedingly well, and since the completion of the railroad find a 
ready market. It is believed by those Laving exi^erienco, that the quaUty of beef in the cattle 



41 

driven from Texas to this section of the country is improved after a few years, on account of the 
superior quality of tiio natural grass. This seems likely to be true of all the immense graziuR- 
fields of Nevada, and other portions of the great western interior, and that their value is slowly 
becoming known can only be looked to with satisfaction, since numerous herds are now grazing in 
the valley of the Mississip]ti and on the plains of Texas, on lands gradually becomitig so valuable 
that they will be required for agricultural purposes. We must soon look to the high luouiitaiii- 
areas for their sustenance and propagation. If these grasses will submit to an increase of large 
herds, or to cultivation, and retain their perennial power, the question of meat-supply for the millions 
in the United States for years to come is solved. 

PROFILE or ROADS. 
The profiles have been preserved upon manuscript maps. 

MURRAY'S CREEK TO MOUTH OF EIO VIRGEN. 

This is designated as Profile No. 1, and gives that portion of the railroad-route projected, 
actually traversed by the survey-parties. The distance is about two hundred and sixty-eight miles, 
the actual fall in altitude being 5,200 feet; that is, from 0,400 at Camp 15 to 1,200 at Camp 52, 
being 19 feet to the mile. The divides that are the most marked exist between Cave and Sierra 
and Coal and Pahranagat Valleys. They are of such a nature as to otter no hinderance to ordinary 
railroad-grades, while it will be seen that the decrease in elevation is liitorru])tod by no sudden 
breaks. 

The highest point will be G,700 feet, about 700 feet greater than the altitude of Toano, on 
Central Pacific Railroad, which is given on their map 5,904 feet above sea-level. 

ELKO TO EL DORADO CAJJON. 

This is denominated Profile No. 2, and the distances are also given in Table No. 2 of the report. 

The divides between the valleys along this route are more noticeable, and in two or three in- 
stances present barriers almost impassable, and hence would necessitate an extraordinary expendi- 
ture for the construction of a railroad. These are at Quinu's Canon, where a crossingof the continu- 
ation of the ^Miite Pine range is effected, between ^lud and Quartz Springs, and at the head of 
El Dorado Canon. 

It is not certain that a road could not be run to the westward of Quinn Caiion, and to the last 
two points mentioned. In this event, however, it must continue always to the westward of the 
Colorado, and remain all the time in a very desert section, which cannot of itself afford the materials 
necessary for stocking and keeping in supply the construction-parties. The distance from Monte 
Christo to near the divide of the water-shed between the Humboldt and Colorado Basins to El 
Dorado Canon is three hundred and four miles, while the ditterence in altitude is 0,072 feet, show- 
ing a fall of 22 feet per mile, which is not only greater than that of the route first mentioned, but, 
taken in connection with the sterility of the country and the necessity of heavy grades, condemns 
the project of a railroad near this meridian. 

Itseemsnot unlikely, looking well into the future, thattlie Colorado River, atsome point between 
Camp Mojave and the foot of the Grand Canon, will be approached by at least two lines of railroad 
that, leaving the Central Pacific, follow generally north and south lines. The first will doubtless 
be not fi\r removed from the one projected on Map No. 1, while the second, connecting with the 
Utah Central at Salt Lake City, following to the south and west through the chain of Mormon 
settlements, will meet the river near the foot of the Grand Wash. Still another line of road, 
passing to the eastward of the Sierras through Owen's River Valley, joining the present railroad 
from Virginia City to Carson, may be broken to the east to the Colorado, or, bearing sligiitly to the 
westward, continue on to San Diego. I believe it to be not an over-sanguine idea that all of this 
will happen ; the exact date of completion of each or any of these public improvements being yet 
indeterminate. 
6 -w 



42 

OVERLAND STATION TO CAMP 15, MUEEAY CEEEK. 

This is sbowu as Profile No. 1 on the second map, and passes via Long Valley, White Pine, and 
Eobiusou District. 

The distance is approximately one hundred and twenty-two miles. The divides are four in 
number, viz, Hastings Pass, leading into Euby Valley, the summit between Euby and Long Val- 
leys, in and around Hamilton, and at Summit Springs to the west, and among the foot-hills of the 
Egau range. 

It will be seen that this profile is along a line partly of a northerly and southerly direction, 
with the remainder running nearly east and west, and is distinctive in its nature from most of the 
main side-liues, which generally have east and west directions. 

CAMP EUBY TO CAMP HALLECK. 

This constitutes Profile No. 2, and proceeds along Euby Valley and through Secret Valley 
Pass, which is a very diflQcult one, especially in the winter months; however, the railroad may be 
reached by passing a gentle summit that brings one into Clover, from Euby Valley, thence to 
Humboldt Wells. The distance is seventy-five miles. 

CAMP 17, " CAVE VALLEY," TO CAMP 26, " PEEUSS LAKE." 

This is known as Profile No. 3 ; the line passing through Sacramento District having been 
taken ; the distance is one hundred and sixty-seven miles, and the divides, some of which are 
pretty difficult, are at Patterson Pass, near the mines of the Patterson District, from Duck Valley 
to Spring Valley, a very short divide, but steep on the northern side ; Eed Caiion Pass, through 
Snake range, in proximity to Sacramento District; Caiiou Pass east of Snake Valley, and Cane 
Pass, crossing the Hawawah range. 

CAMP 28, OE CKOSS-EOADS NEAE PATTEESON DISTEICT. 

Profile No. 4 gives this line, which crosses only the Fortification range of mountains through 
Palisade Pass, a tortuous and winding divide. The distance is 37.92 miles, showing no marked 
features of elevation or depression except along the distance mentioned. 

CAVE VALLEY TO "WEST POINT. 

Profile No. 5 gives this route, which extends from Camp 17, "Cave Valley," to Camp 49, 
" West Point," via Meadow Valley and Mormon settlements. The number of points at which 
steep divides are noticed are numerous, and the face of the country over quite a large adjacent 
area is mountainous, with rough and rocky caiions and passes. The steep divides are at Patterson's 
Pass, also shown on Profile No. 3; Pioneer Pass, between Cedar and Eagle Valleys, Eagle to Eose 
Valley, Eose to Meadow, and Meadow to Clover Valley, and Clover Valley to Mormon CaQon ; of 
them the worst are through Pioneer Pass, and from Meadow to Clover Valley. The total distance 
is 196.69 miles. 

As it is natural to suppose, so is it readily seen, there is the greatest difference between the 
profiles of north and south and east and west lines. A hasty glance at the maps fixes this point 
upon the attention, and at once develops the idea that nature has determined the directions to be 
followed for the lines of communication to be made nse of by the skilled industry that can alone 
enter and make use of the vast mineral wealth that lies concealed in these rugged mountain inte- 
riors. 

Within twenty years we ought to see three if not four grand transcontinental lines of railway 
across the United States, joining the three principal ports of the Pacific with tbe eastern coast, 
cutting the broad valleys of the Mississippi and its tributaries ; which along areas to the west of 
the Eocky Mountains must be joined and crossed in time by a net-work of roads that grow with the 
growth of interests, usually mineral, that are springing up in the various sections ; with the agricul- 



43 

tural and varions concomitant interests depondent thereon, the importance of which will be 
acknowledged and felt the more the mass of the people can see legitimate opportunities for labor and 
investment, which will accrue after wise and judicious legislation, that is sure to come from a more 
careful study and mature deliberation upon the bearing that mineral productions have upon the 
national wealth, and especially at a time when the country is burdened with a large national debt. 

TOWNS AND SETTLEMENTS. 

These are few in number, sparse in population, and mostly uninteresting in appearance. 

Away from the railroad, the only settlers, excepting now and then a ranch or station, have 
come together in the vicinity of mining camps, which, being so uncertain in their nature, call for no 
great permanence in the architecture of the miner's cabin, the mill, or the store. 

HAMILTON, 

by far the largest place in size, had something like two or three thousand inhabitants in July, 
while in November 1,200 would have included them all. This was the principal point for the 
mines in the White Pine District. Here the greater part of the business was done, and the 
merchants and traders had collected, while the principal number of the mills at this period were 
in the vicinity. Of course whiskj-mills, with faro-banks adjoining, were plenty, while alternately 
there appeared either a clothing or a grocery store. Such places become overrun with the surplus 
population, of a rather questionable grade, of all the worn-out mining camps for a radius of hun- 
dreds of miles. This place boasted a passably good stone court-house and a fine stone building in 
which were the offices of Wells, Fargo & Co., and the Bank of California. One notices no such 
thing as a church. 

TREASURE CITT. 

Another settlement near the mines on Treasure Ilill, consisting of one street, at an altitude of 
9,000 feet, winding along the hills, was filled with miners and offices and residences of owners of 
mining and mill property. In November, the greater share of the inhabit.ants had removed to either 
Hamilton or Shermantowu, to save fuel for the winter, so that less than five hundred remained, 
while in July more than one thousand persons resided in this uninviting locality. 

SHERSIANTOWN, 

the site of several mills engaged in reducing the White Pine ores, was a place of at least one 
thousand five hundred souls upon our first visit. It is situated in a tortnous ravine, between the 
White Pine range proper and Treasure Uill, quite secluded from the Pogonips of this section, and 
near water, a thing not to bo found upon Treasure Hill. 

These three places, numbering between four and five thousand souls, had all sprung up with 
the development of the White Pine mines, and upon their future depends also that of the places 
named, which must build up or become abandoned according as the mines can or cannot support a 
greater or less number of people. 

ELKO, 

at present a small station on the Central Pacific Eailroad, grow first largely into importance 
from the fact of its being selected as the point of departure for the White Pine mines late in the 
fall of 1SC8. 

A thriving place ; grew rapidly into existence along the banks of the Humboldt, and in the 
census of 1S70 has been found to number 3,447 inhabitants. 

The declining prospects of White Pine in the fall and winter of ISOO-'TO soon developed the 
fact that Elko had exceeded the size necessary for a shipj)iiig-point ; therefore stagnation of busi- 
ness in all its branches followed, in part alleviated by the discovery of Cope District, to the north- 
ward and near the Idaho line, through which the stage-line to Silver City and points in Idaho, 
which had heretofore left the railroad at Winnemucca, was transferred. 

The future of the place seems, now that it has been made a county-town, certain. 



44 

TOANO. 

This place is at the terminus of one of the sections of the Central Pacitic Eailroad, and beyond 
this had no importance up to the spring of 1870, when it was used as the point of departure for 
heavy freighting in the direction of the Meadow Valley mines. It has been taken as the point of 
departure for a proposed railroad-route to the Colorado River, on the maps of the reconnaissance, 
since the divides between the valleys leading to the southward have more gradual slopes than 
upon any line that can be selected between the ll-ith and llGth meridian of longitude. 

It has been spoken of as a new point from which a stage-line can be started to Idaho and 
Montana. 

ETJBY STATION. 

For a long time a station on the old overland stage-road ; and later, a point from which the 
telegraph-line stai'ts to White Pine. The whole affair consists of one store, a telegraph-house, and 
two residences, situated three miles from the military camp, since abandoned, of the same name. 
The settlers of the valley have received their mail through this point until the railroad was com- 
pleted, since which time it is belieA^ed that the station has been discontinued altogether. 

MINERAL CITY. 

A small mining camp in the gorge leading through the Egau range, in and around which are 
foiuid the mines constituting the Eobinson District. Its population comprised about fifty souls, 
with some chance of an increase consequent upon the successful development of the mines. Some 
ten or twelve buildings had been erected, the greater number being stores, a post-oflBce, and 
restaurants. The chance for building-sites is quite limited, and in case of large results from these 
mines the population must crowd out to the east in Steptoe Valley, along Murray's Creek. 

MONTEZUMA AND SPRINaVILLE. 

Small camps that have sprung up in conjunction with the mines of the Patterson District 
and on either side of the pass through the Schell Creek range at this place. Several decent 
wooden buildings have been built from lumber obtained from Benson's Creek, some eight or ten 
miles to the north, and on the eastern slope of the range. Water is found only on the eastern side, 
about Springville, and, unfortunately, the principal locations, are on the western sloi)e of the divide. 

These mines have been but little worked, as apparently any capitalists who may have made 
examinations are doubtful as to the chances for large and permanent operations. There is cer- 
tainly a large surface-showing of ore, and if any of the veins prove at all permanent, there ought 
to be parties ready to take hold of these mines. 

HTKO. 

A mining town at the head of Pahranagat Valley, and the county-seat of Lincoln County. 
Its population varies with the local mining excitements of the country, and according to the amount 
of developments in operation by the Hyko Silver-3Iining Company — in August, 1869, some four 
or live thousand souls altogether, including the company's employes in the mines in and around 
Great Quartz Mountain. 

There is one of the finest ten-stamp mills that I have seen in the State on the mesa edge at the 
western end of the town, most admirably adapted for the milling of ores, since advantage has 
been taken of the natural declivity of the site for the transferring always from higher to lower 
level, in the most convenient manner, during the various milling processes. 

Formerly there were quite a number of Mormons at this settlement, many of whom have gone 
to other sections, leaving but a few of their persuasion. A fine spring, of about 600 inches flow, 
rises at the northeastern end of the town, and is known as Hyko Spring, furnishing water for town 
use and milling purposes. There is water enough for any number of mills that may ever be 
required, and room enough for a city of any magnitude in this vicinity ; and, without doubt, the 
whole of Pahranagat Valley will some day be thickly settled, and that, in connection with con- 
tinued mining operations of magnitude, will make the necessity for quite a large mountain city. 



45 

piocnE, 

t'ae name of the principal miuiug town in the Ely District, where are found what are known 
as the Meadow Valley mines, among wliitli the one called tjie '' Pioche " seems to be the mother 
vein. 

The great richness of this district since the summer of 1809 has caused to grow here a town of 
considerable size. The mill of the Meadow Valley Company is situate in a little valley to the east- 
ward, called Dry Valley, around which has s[>ruug up a small settlement called Lyonsville, after 
the present jiresident of the company. 

LAS VEGAS EANCn. 

This is situated on a little oasis in the desert of Vegas Valley, and consists of about three or 
four Imndred acres of arable land that can be irrigated from the Vegas Springs. An area of a 
radius of fifty miles, having this point as a center, embraces nothing but desert; consequently, this 
is a haven for all travelers, north and south, through this section of country. The old emigrant- 
road to Salt Lake, and the one lately traveled from White Pine to Arizona, here cross each other. 

EL DORADO CASON. 

By this, reference is made to the property of the mining company of this district, who have a 
ten-stamp mill on the river at the mouth of the canon, and the necessary dwellings and store-houses 
for their nulling operations. This section is a desert and sterile one. Small patches of buncb- 
grass are found in the mountains ; hay in large quantities has to be obtained at Cottonwood Islaiul, 
some forty-live miles below, and such barley as cannot be obtained at Vegas ranch must come via 
the river. Wood in small quantities can be obtained from the drift-wood along the river. 

All these difficulties have tended to retard the development of these mines, one of which, the 
Techatticup, having been opened, proves to be a regular fissure-vein. 

CALLVILLE. 

This was originally started as a little iSIormon landing, from whence stores, coming via the 
river, were to be shipped in among the settlements of Southern Utah. Quite a large store-liouse 
and several shanties that had been erected were all abandoned at the date of our arrival, making 
the place look, if possible, more desolate than nature had intended. 

There can be no possible reason in the future for reviving this place, since it cannot be a point 
of dei)arture or supply for any back country, neither can a crossing to the southward be made; 
therefore, whenever a stray traveler, by accident, shall reach these solitudes, his inquiry for inhab- 
itants will be answered by echoes from the deserted store-house and its surrounding shanties. 

MOEMON SETTLEMENTS, 

nOMEE. 

This is one of the later and more outer settlements, of only about two years' standing, cousist- 
ug of twenty to twenty-five families, and from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five per- 
sons, all told. 

This, being a small settlement, had for its ruler a functionary known as a superintendent, who 
acts as judge and mauaging-mau. The larger settlements have a bishop, while in addition, at 
county-seats, are found other bishops, higher in church authority, who are associate elders, and 
have a voice in the high council at Salt Lake City. 

The scheme seems to be to manage the minds of the many by having some one in their midst 
of sufficient intellect to control, while the others are rude, untaught, with but little prospective 
hope of improvement. I understand, however, that schools are introduced at the more prominent 
settlements. 

The dwellings at Homer all stand upon one wide street, closed at the ends, making a rectan- 
gular-shaped fort, so built for protection against the Indians. The amount of land is parceled out 
to the families in lots from 7^ to 25 acres, the latter amount being considered quite excessive. 



46 

The settlers here, having seen so little of the world, had not become contaminated by the 
ungovernable thirst to gain money from the Gentiles that is found among the many. 

A call was made upon the superintendent, a Mr. Shakespeare, a decent, provincial-looking 
man, who was nob unwilling to give information, but who seemed to have but little to give. They 
were nearly all alike at this place, having the appearance such as one might expect to meet among 
some of the lower classes in Holland, Norway, some parts of Germany, and Wales. At the time of 
our coming all the young men were at muster, which is held twice each year, and every available 
able-bodied man is obliged to attend. Besides the ordinary militia, there is said to exist a secret 
compact, known as the " ZSTauvoo Legion." 

EAGLE VALLEr. 

This is a beautiful little valley, closely encircled by the mountains, and settled nearly three 
years since. Here, again, the inhabitants build their rude log houses in " fort" shape. 

Our day's march carried us to Rose Valley, some three or four miles beyond, and only a short 
stay was made. This place, larger in size, attains to the dignity of having a bishop, who has in 
his trust the forty or fifty families constituting the settlement. 

They will number at least two hundred souls, and seem a quiet, inoffensive set, but looking, 
however, upon the soldiers with a jealous ej'e, and, with a true ilormon proclivity, where it could 
be done, taking advantage of the desire for the purchase of delicacies on the march in the way of 
butter, eggs, and vegetables, charging much more than their value. This custom we found in its 
most absolute perfection among some of the lower settlements, where Gentiles were more frequently 
in the habit of passing through. 

Doctors and lawyers are unknown in these remote settlements ; they themselves speak of this 
as true for all of them — scarcely anybody sick, but few die, and the laws of the church exist for 
them as the law of the land. 

In Eose and Dry Valleys some very poor, miserable families were found ranching ; it was their 
expectation that their membeYs would be increased from the interior. In the latter place a twenty- 
stamp mill, the property of the Meadow Valley Mining Company, and known as the Lyons mill, has 
been erected. Ore from the Pioche mines is being crushed there, with fine results. 

PANACCA. 

The settlement in Meadow Valley is considerably larger than the others mentioned, and was 
established in 1804 or 1865. They have laid off the town in streets, and some very fair wooden 
and adobe houses have been built. Among the best of them is a tithing-house, made for the recep- 
tion of one-tenth of all that is produced, and given as a tithing unto the Lord. 

In these outer places that have been settled for a number of years, many trees have been 
planted, which here had grown to a respectable size. Water running through the streets in open 
ditches, irrigates them so that they maintain a luxuriant growth. The water here is of the same 
nature as that found in Pahranagat Valley, the spring at the head of the town being of about the 
same size as Crystal Spring, in Pahranagat Valley. 

These waters are doubtless from the same source, and all find their way into the Colorado after 
joining forces along the bods of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers. The town will number about four 
hundred people, some few of whom are Gentiles. 

CLOVEE VALLEY 

contains some eight or ten families and from fifty to seventy-five people. Its waters flow to the 
southwest and join Meadow Creek, that, farther on, seeks an underground channel to the Muddy. 
While following down a canon leading from this valley and coming in below Meadow Valley Caiion, 
there was considerable i)ioncering to do ; the animals were getting badly worn out, and the grain 
was exhausted and grass becoming very scarce. It was therefore necessary to push on ahead sev- 
enty-five miles to one of the lower settlements, to purchase grain and have it freighted to the train. 



47 



one of the settlements on the Upper Muddy, consisting of fiftyj or sixty families, and from two 
hundred and fifty to three hundred people. A part of these go north during the summers, which 
are intensely hot in this section. 

At the time of our coming, wheat could be purchased at 5 cents per pound; previous to our 
departure it was valued at l-'A cents, while all the time the relation between supply and demand 
was the same. 

One man at this place was the hai)py possessor of five wives, two of them being at a northern 
settlement, and twenty-two children of various descriptions and sizes; these were all being reared 
unwashed, unkempt, and untaught. 

SAINT JOSEl'U, 

situated midway between West Point and where the Muddy reaches the Virgin, is a much 
larger place, and numbers some five hundred or six hundred people, when all are at home from 
the northern country. This place has a post-oflice regularly established. A nephew of Brigham 
Young lives here, vested with some of the superior functions of church oflice. 

SAINT THOMAS, 

is situated at the confluence of the Muddy with the Virgin ; rather a fine-looking place, well 
laid out, with shade-trees along the streets. Its inhabitants number as high as three hundred or 
four hundred altogether, but of the same moving character as the two settlements above named. 
The bishoi) at this place, and another person, ex-member of the Arizona legislature, received us 
with i)leasant courtesy. Near this place an Indian chief named Toshob has his wick-eups. 
He is known to have been engaged with some of his Indians in the Mountain Meadow massacre, 
while the leader of the same was reported to be in a small place called Harmony, some seventy- 
five miles to the northeast, in a state bordering on insanity from remorse for his actions at tiiat 
time. No one can judge of the revolting character of that affair who has not been near the ground 
to learn of the details of the cold-blooded murder of men, women, and children. 

Thus it will appear that the late reconnaissance has developed the fact that there are seven 
Mormon settlements, numbering very nearly two thousand inhabitants, that heretofore have been 
supposed, certainly or uncertainly, to be in Utah, that lie beyond a doubt within the domain of 
Nevada. So far they have paid taxes in, and conformed to the laws of, Utah. Some action should 
now be taken clearly defining their status and place the jurisdiction of both the State and Territory 
upon proper ground. 

That part of Arizona to the north and west of the Colorado River that was ceded by act of 
Congress of 1866 to Nevada, has never been legally accepted by the State, since their coustitutiou 
prohibits the accession of territory in this direction, thereby rendering the action of the State 
officials invalid and liable to be jirotested in case of attempting to execute their statutes. 

The Jlormons are prospecting for further lands contiguous to their outer settlements, to be 
used as asylums for their constantly thickening population, and it is but a short time ago that a call 
was made for one thousand families to go into Northern Arizona. 

ODOMETER MEASUREMENTS. 

To show how far these may be depended upon in the field over the variety of roads encoun- 
tered in a mountain region, several rigid tests were made at a number of points, of which the fol- 
lowing is a description. The gait has always been kept at a walk. 

ELKO. 

1. Wheels tico days traveled since greased ; over one measured mile on level road, slightly sandy. 

No. 1 odometer on near wheel. 
First reading.... 3,843 
Second reading . . 4, 242 

Difference = 400 = number of revolutions. 



Note.— Tho Mormon settlers h.ive been withdrawn from the valley of the Muddy, and the West Point, Saint 
Joseph, and Saint Thomas sottlemeuta abandoned. An Indian reservation including all of these localities has since 
been set aside by the Government. 



48 



2. Over one-lialf measured mile, on rolling ground, good road. 

No. 1 odometer on near wheel. 

First reading 4, 976 

Second reading. . 5, 177 



Difference = 201 = number of revolutions. 
Average, 401 revolutions. 

Near wheel, 13' 2".208 in circumference ; 400.48 revolutions per mile. 
Off wheel, 13' 2".0G3 in circumference ; 400.85 revolutions per mile. 

CAMP KUBT. 

Wheels one day's travel since greased, over one measured mile, on good, hard, level road. 

No. 1 odometer on near wheel. 

First reading 6,392 

Second reading.. 6, 791 



Difference = 399 = number of revolutions, 
No. 2 odometer on near wheel. 
First reading .... 6, 536 
Second reading.. 7,931 



No. 2 odometer on off wheel. 
First reading. .. 7,133 
Second reading. 7,533 



Difference = 400 = number of revolutions. 
No. 1 odometer on ofi wheel. 
First reading... 6,793 
Second reading. 7,192 



Differeuce=395 = number of revolutions. 

Average, 398.25. 

Wheels eased of friction from wooden axle ; freshly greased. 
1. One measured mile through sage-brush. 



Difference = 399 = number of revolutions. 



No. 2 odometer on near wheel. 
First reading .... 8, 140 
Second reading. . 8, 542 



No. 1 odometer on off wheel. 
First reading... 7,362 
Second reading. 7, 763 



DiSereuce = 402=number of revolutions. 

Average, 401.5 revolutions, 

2. One measured mile, good, hard, level road. 



Difference = 401 = number of revolutions. 



No. 2 odometer on near wheel. 

First reading 7, 766 

Second reading. . 8, 166 



Difference = 400=number of revolutions. 



No. 1 odometer on oft" wheel. 
First reading. . . 8, 546 
Second reading. 8,947 



Difference=401= number of revolutions. 



Average, 400.5 revolutions. 



CAMP TWELVE, NEAR HAMILTON. 

From Camp Twelve to stake on hill above Hamilton City. Measured distance, 199.87 chains. 
Wheels not greased for three days. 

Koad rough, uneven, some parts stony, others sandy ; steep grades. 

1st. On up-hill grade : 
No. 1 odometer : Number of revolutions = 994 = 398.32 revolutions per mile. 
No. 2 odometer : Number of revolutions = 996 = 399.12 revolutions per mile. 

2d. From stake on hill down to camp : 
No. 1 odometer : Number of revolutions = 998 = 399.92 revolutions per mile. 
No. 2 odometer : Number of revolutions = 996 = 399.12 revolutions per mile. 
The same as above, with freshly-greased wheels. 



49 

1st. Oil ui)liill grade: 
No. 1 odometer : Number of revolutions = DAT = o'.!'.*.."!- rexolutious per mile. 
No. 2 o<loiiU'ter : Number of revolutions = it'JO = .'>'.t;i.li> rexolutious i)er mile. 

2d. Uu down-bill grade : 
No. 1 oiloiueter : Number of revolutions = 9!).j = o'JS.TJ revolutions jx'r mile. 
No. 2 odometer : Number of revolutions = 1,000 = -100..'52 revolutions per mile. 
Average, 399.27 revolutions per mile. 

BETWEEN CAMPS FOUETEEN AND FIFTEEN. 

Between mile-posts, measured by cliaiii, on a hard, somewliat rolling and sliglitly sandy road, 
l)riucipally down grade. 



Ik'ovoliitiouH. 

No. 1 to No. 2 402 

No. 2 to No. 3 402 



Hevoliilioiiti. 

No. 4 to No. 5 403 

No. 5 to No. 401 

No. 3 to No. 4 402 No. 6 to No. 7 402 

Average, 402 revolutions. 

In remarking upon the results from odometer measurements, two distinet statements must be 
made, 1st, that the vehiele should go always at a walk, sinee, by increasing the gait, certain irreg- 
ularities of revolution must iietressarily occur that will vitiate the measurement ; 2d, that the fric- 
tion on the axle must be thrown out as being an element not easy to determine, and one not 
uitluencing the result in any appreciable degree so long as the axles are kept iu anything like decent 
order. The experiments made near Uamilton show that the results are equable, both in the case 
of nsiiig the axles after a three days' march, or a little more than sixty miles, and when freshly 
greased, going to show that at least it has not been necessary to take into account the idea of fresh 
or newly greased wheels. 

It will be seen that iu the revolution of a wheel by a horizontal pull that the length passed 
over will exceed the circumference of the wheel on account of the slipping or sliding motion. It 
can well be understood that this slipping will be greater in case of raitid revolutions; another 
reason that these measurements should be made at a walk. The allowance to be made for a .slip, 
determined by experiments made on an Arizona trip in ISGS, varied from 1.2 to 2.1 per cent., 
while the rigid tests of this year decrease this even to the making the mean allowance nearly per 
cent. 1 refer this to the fact that in the first instance the aniinils were driven at a trot. Hence 
the actual number of revolutions to the mile should be less than the number obtained by using the 
perimeter as the basis; this is fouml in in-actice to be the case, and obtains in all our tests except 
one at both Elko and Ruby, and those between camps 14 and l.l. The former were undoubtetlly the 
result of errors of observation; the later arises from the fact that the tire having become worn, 
the perimeter was slnntened. Omitting, then, these three cases, we have the percentage to be 
allowed for the slii) as follows, viz : 

Experiments iu liuby Valley on hard rolling road 0.6 i)er cent. 

Kxperiments in I'uby Valley on level rolling road 0.4 per cent. 

Kxperiiiients near Hamilton on stvei>-grade road 0.34 



3)0.98 



Average 0.33 per cent. 

All other things bting e(inal, the sliii of the wheel will vary according to the nature of the 
road, increasing as the road bed becomes more luMvy. and in m-iv Ihmw s;ind special allowance 
has to be made. 

The slip of the wheel tor up-grade is found to be gre.itcr than lor downgrade. 

I'or the tirst part of the season 401 was the number of revolutions used per mile ; later it was 
found that 400 was a preferable number. 

So great was the accuracy of these measurements that, taken iu connection with the fact that 
a Gasella reconnaissance theodolite was used for the meander of the road traversed, it was unneces- 
7 w 



50 

sary to reduce meauderliues by the ordinary process of dead-reckouiug, individual judgment for 
the percentage to be allowed being sufficient to reduce to the points astrouomically determined. 

The odometers were attached to a little two- wheeled vehicle constructed for the purpose, which 
was taken charge of by a soldier whose sole duty was to keep account of the distances measured. 
There are difficulties connected with the mechanical contrivances of the odometer. 1st. The leather 
covering, however carefully made, will not keep the dust from working into the interior of the 
instrument on account of the manner in which the frame holding the circles is introduced. 2d. The 
circles themselves work loose from each other for the want of two nuts, one with a right-handed 
screwand the other with a left-handed one, at the back of these plates, for fastening them together. 

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 

INSTEU5IENTS USED. 

During the field-season cistern barometers, Nos. 1378, 1555, and 150C, made by James Green, 
Ifew York ; aneroids, Nos. 22 and 37, furnished by Charles G. Ewing, optician, San Francisco ; 
and hygrometers, Xos. 1G31 and 2318, by Green, were used. Thermo-barometers, Nos. 1 and 2, by 
Green, were carried to the field, but beyond comparing their indications with those of the cisterns 
at Elko, Camp Ruby, Hamilton, Ice Creek, and Cave Valley, no use was made of them for 
hypsometrical purposes. 

OBSERVATIONS IN THE FIELD. 

Hourly observations were taken at Camp Halleck from June IG to June 29, inclusive, and 
at Camp Ruby, Hamilton, and West Point, over intervals of from five to eight days, for the pur- 
pose of securing tables of horary corrections to be applied to observations for hypsometrical 
purposes. On the march tridaily observations were made at all camps of a day or more, and, at 
camps for one night only, at 7 a. m. and 9 p. m. 

The aneroids were used only in connection with the odometer for securing an approximate 
profile of the route between camps, the altitudes of which latter were deduced from cistern-barome- 
ter observations. 

These observations have all been reduced and computed, and the results appear on the map of 
the reconnaissance. 

COMPARISONS OF BAROMETERS, ETC. 

Before taking the field, the barometers and attached tliermometers were carefully compared 
with Green's standard cisiern-barometer, No. 1571, in Colonel Williamson's office in San Francisco, 
and their relative and absolute errors deduced. These comparisons extended over an interval of 
nine days from June 2 to June 11, 1809, and included cistern-barometers Nos. 1.566, 1378, 1555, and 
1282, and aneroids 22 and 37. 

At intervals during the season frequent comparisons were made to check changes in the zero 
of the scales of the various iiistruiiients ; at Elko, Nev., from June 29 to July 3, lilteen com- 
parisons; at Camp Ruby, from July 9 to July 12, twelve comparisons; at Hamilton, from July 
16 to July 21, seventeen comparisons; at Cave Valley, from August 9 to August 12, nine 
comparisons; at West Point, from September 23 to Seiitember 27, fourteen comparisons ; at Las 
Vegas, from October 1 to October 12, sixteen comparisons; at Indian Springs, from October 
26 to October 30, thirteen comparisons ; and at the close of the lield-season the instruments 
were again compared with standard 1571 at San Francisco. These comparisons in the case of 
cistern-barometers gave very favorable results, showing but very slight changes in their relative 
errors from transportation, but the aneroids, being mechanical devices, snflered considerable 
shiftiugs of parts and consequent changes in their index errors, other than those due to tempera- 
ture or from want of compensation. Tlie extreme variation in errors throughout the season being 
from +".010 to ".771 for aneroid 22, and from — 0".031 to — 0".186 for aneroid 37, but since these 
changes aiq)ear from the comparisons to have been gradual, very good results were derived from 
the aneroid work. 





0. 




Comparixons of mercuria 


cialeni 


-harmnf 


ler with standard Xo. 1 


571, at San Francisco. 










Hour. 


UAROMETEB UNCORltECTED. 


BAROMETKR CORRECTED. 


ATTACHED 


THEUUOUETEB. 




Dat 


Stand- 
ard. 


1566. 


1378. 


1060. 


1282. 


Stand- 
ard. 


1566. 


1378. 


1060. 


1282. 


Stand- 
ard. 


1566. 


1378. 


1060. 


1982. 


June 


o 


2p. m 


30. 012 


30. 036 


30. 036 


30. 072 


30. 044 


29. 925 


99. 919 


29. 918 


29.953 


99.927 


o 
72 


o 
71.9 


o 
72.5 


o 
Ti 


o 
72 


June 


3.. 


9 a. m 


30.04 


30. 046 


30. 052 


30. 070 


30.050 


•J9. 9 42 


29. 947 


29.951 


20.974 


29.951 


65 


65.95 


66 


60.3 


65.4 






9 p. m 


30. 084 


.30. 090 


30.082 


30.014 


30. 084 


29.980 


99.992 


29.934 


30.015 


29.987 


65 


64.9 


65.1 


65.5 


64.8 


June 


1.. 


9 a. m 


30. 062 


30.08 


30.083 


30. 119 


30. 079 


99. 987 


99.984 


29. 987 


30. 014 


29.984 


64 


64.3 


64.5 


64.8 


64 






a p. m 


30. 0C4 


30. 0.18 


30. 033 


30. 084 


30.06 


29. 947 


99.941 


29.939 


99. 964 


29.943 


79.2 


73.1 


79.8 


73.3 


79.1 


June 


5.. 


9 a. m. 


30.088 


.30. 082 


30.080 1 W. 114 


30.090 


20. 986 


99.980 


29.983 


30.011 


29.989 


66.6 


66.5 


66.9 


67 


66.1 


June 


7.. 


9 a. m 


30.022 


30.024 


30.022 


30.048 


30.019 


29.924 


29.927 


20. 923 


99.948 


29. 921 


64.9 


64.75 


65.5 


65.6 


64.9 






2 p. n: . 


30. 002 


29.994 


99. 998 


:<0. 024 


29. 992 


29. 885 


29.977 


29. 879 


29. 904 


29.874 


79.1 


72. 25 


73.1 


73.3 


79.2 


June 


8.. 


9 ». m 


30. 027 


30.023 


30. 024 


30.058 


30. 02:t 


29.919 


29. 915 


29.914 


29. 948 


29.915 


68.6 


68.5 


69.25 


69.5 


68.6 






•2p. lu 


30. 029 


30. 031 


30. 028 1 30. 058 


30. 024 


29. 916 


29. 918 


29.919 


29.941 


29.910 


70.6 


70.75 


71.6 


71.5 


70.9 


June 


9.. 


9 a. ni. 


30. 074 


30. 073 


30.071 j 30.096 


30. 065 


29. 978 


29. 977 


29. 974 


29. 998 


99.970 


64.4 


64.9 


64.75 


64.9 


64.3 


' 




2 p. ni 


30. 07fl 


30. 073 


30. 009 j 30. 090 


30. 069 


2.0. 961 


29.958 


29.952 


29.978 


29.953 


71.5 


71.4 


72.1 


79.5 


71.4 


June 


10.. 


9 a. m 


30. 084 


30. 082 


30.084 1 30.1)1 


30.08 


20.99 


99.988 


29.989 


30.016 


29.986 


63.6 


63.5 


64 


63.9 


63.5 






3 p.m. 


30.082 


30. 075 


30.076 


30.1 


30. 076 


99.974 


29.967 


29.966 


29.989 


20.968 


68.7 


68.7 


69.5 


69.9 


68.7 


Juno 11.. 


9 a.m. 


30.000 


99.992 


99.993 


30.026 


29.997 


29.907 


99.900 


99.899 


99.932 


29.904 


62.9 


62.8 


63.4 


63. S 


63 



Date. 



Hiiur. 



June 2 2p.ni. 

June 3 9a.m. 

2 p.m. 
9 a- m- 

, 2p-m. 

June 5 9 a.m. 

June 7 9a.m. 

3 p.m. 
Juuo 8 9 a.m. 

2 p.m. 
June 9a.m. 

2 p. m . 

June' 10 0a.m. 

■ 2 p. m . 
Jimo II - ' 9a.m. 

Sum 

- 
Mean of 15 obaervationa I 



F.RUOR OF BAROMETER. 



Stand- 
ard. 



.000 



1566. 



+.006 
-.005 
-.006 
+ .003 
+ .006 
+ .006 
-.003 
+ .008 
+ .004 
-.002 
+ .001 
+.003 
+ .002 
+ .007 
+ .007 



1378. 



+.007 
-.000 
+ .002 
+ .000 
+.008 
+ .003 
+.001 
+ .006 
+.005 
+ .004 
+.004 
+ .009 
+.001 
+.008 
+ .008 



+.057 



+ .004 



1060. 



1282. 



-.028 
-.032 
-.099 
-.027 
-.017 
-.025 
-.024 
-.019 
-.020 
-.025 
-.C20 
-.017 
-.026 
-.025 
-.025 



-.368 



-.002 
-.009 
-.001 
+.003 
+.004 
-.003 
+.003 
+.011 
+ .004 
+.006 
+ .008 
+.008 
+.004 
+.006 
+ .003 



+ .045 



-.0215 +.003 



ERROR OF T1IEUM0MF.TER. 



Staud- 
ai-d. 



.000 



1506. 



6 
+0.1 
-0.25 
+0.1 
-0.2 
+0.1 
+0.1 
+0.15 
+0.15 
-0.1 
-0.15 
+0.3 
+0.1 
+0.1 
+ 0.0 
+0.1 



+0.4 



+0.027 



1378. 



-0.5 

-1.0 

-0.1 

-0.5 

-0.6 

-0.3 

-0.6 

-1.0 

-0.65 

-1.0 

-0-35 

-0.6 

-0.4 

-0.8 

-0.5 



1000. 12*2. 



1.0 
1.3 
O.S 
0.8 
1.0 
0.4 
0.7 
1.3 
0.9 
0.9 
0.5 
1.0 
0.3 
1.2 
0.6 



-13. J 
-0.8! 



-0.0 
-0.4 
+0.3 
+0.0 
+0.1 
+0.5 
+0.0 
-0.4 
-0.0 
-0.3 
+ 0.2 
+0.1 
+0.1 
+0.0 
-0.1 



0.0 
~0.^ 



Comparison of Ihermo-barometcrs tiilh mercurial-cistern barometer on reconnaissance through Southern .\erada in 1869. 

CAMP HALLECK, NEV. 



Date. 



Hour. 



1860. 

June 16 3 p. m. 

.Juno 17 ' 2 p. m. 

.Tune 18 1 2 p. m 

ilune 19 2 p. m. 

tlune 20 2 p.m. 

June 21 [ 2 p. m. 

June 22 ^ 2 p.m. 

June 23 ' 2 p.m. 



70.6 
68.8 
6a5 
65.5 
68.6 
74.1 
73.0 
70.4 



24.276 
94.290 
34.389 
94.525 
94.541 
34.530 
34.500 
34.461 



C 8 



24.187 
24.214 
24.315 
24.447 
24.456 
24.433 
24.406 
24.373 



No.l. 



202.3 

202.41 

302.19 

202.42 

902.44 

902.4 

202.38 

902.3 



No. 1. 



Inches. 
24. 393 
24. 649 
25.537 
24.654 
24.664 
24,644 
24.634 
24.593 



No. 2. 



2(0.5 

200.54 

200.8 

201.3 

201.0 

200.94 

900.94 

200.94 



No. 2. 



Inches. 

23. 607 
2:). 717 
23.845 

24. 002 
23. 043 
23.014 
23. 014 
23.014 



No. I. 



Si P o 

•= « a 






No. 2. 



+ 406 
+ 435 
+ 992 
+ 207 
+ 208 
+ 211 
+ 228 
+ 221 



400 
497 
470 
355 
513 
510 
402 
458 



Remark !4. 



No. iTrCiC, the cistern- 
baro uet'rusedb.is 
been reduced not 
only to 32' but 
al.so to Xo. 1.S7I in 
ollien of Colonel 
'Williamson. 



*Mcan of six months' barometric readings fcives 5,789 feet. 



52 



Comxiar'ixon of aneroids Xos. 22 ati(l 37 with standard nicrcnrial citilern-Iiaromeler at office of Bel. Col. J!. S. WiUiam>/on, Corps 

of Engineers, San Francisco, California. 



a 


n 


5 
W 


< 


Standard No. 
1571 uncor- 
rected. 


Reduced to 32°. 


Is 


Aneroid readings. 


Aneroid differenoe.s. 


No. 22. 


No. 37. 


No. 22. 


No. 37. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 


1S69. 
Deo. 6 
Dec. 7 
Dec. 8 
Dec. 8 
Dec. 9 
t)ec. 9 
Dec. 10 
Dec. 10 
Dec. 11 
Dec. 11 
Dec. 13 
Dec. 13 
Dec. 14 
Dec. 15 
Dec. 16 
Dec. 16 


2 p. m . . . 
9 a. ra... 
9 a. m... 
2 p.m... 
9 a. m . . . 
2 p.m... 
9a. m-.. 
2p.m... 
9 a. m... 
2 p.m... 
9 a. m... 
2 p.m... 
9 a. m... 
9 a. m . . . 
9a. ra... 
2p.m... 


64.4 
.57.6 
58.2 
6.5.1 
56.9 
63.5 
54.5 
60.8 
55.0 
59.7 
54.6 
61.1 
56.7 
58.0 
59.0 
65.2 
58.5 


30. 072 
30. 071 
30. 009 

29. 977 
30.271 

30. 276 
30. 291 
30. 247 
30. 308 
30. 286 
30. 308 
30. 235 
30. 261 
30.228 
30. 145 
30. 113 
30. 190 


.096 
.078 
.080 
.098 
.076 
.094 
■.070 
.087 
.071 
.084 
.070 
.087 
.076 
.079 
.082 
.098 
.080 


29. 976 
29. 993 
29. 929 

29. 879 
30. 195 
30. 182 

30. 221 
30. 160 
30.237 
30. 202 
30.238 

30. 148 
30. 185 

30. 149 
30. 063 
30. 015 
30. no 


29. 219 
29. 220 
29. 221 
29. 221 
29. 220 


30. 166 
30. 189 
30. 063 
.30. 061 
30. 379 
30. 371 
30. 400 
30. 341 
30. 422 
.30. 384 
30. 424 
30. 340 
30. 371 
30. 339 
30.260 
30.217 
30. 300 


+.7,57 
+.773 
+.708 
+.658 
+.975 


-.190 
-.196 
-.134 
-.192 
-.184 
-.189 
-. 179 
-.181 
-.185 
-. 182 
-.186 
-.192 
-.186 
-.190 
-.197 
-. 202 
-.190 








































17 Dee, 17 1 














!( 


+3. 871 
+ .774 


-3.155 
-0. 1856 


Mea 


Q8 

































jMINERALS. 

Siuce tlie different ioinis in which the element.s of landed surface are aggregated determine 
whether we shall have a region agricultural, mineral, or arid, as may be expected, the greatest 
diversity occurs, and experience teaches that agricultural and mineral sections are seldom found in 
immediate juxtaposition. 

Southern Nevada undoubtedly possesses all the rights and privileges of a mineral region, and 
beyond that, as a place for the aggregation of population, it must always have small weight in com- 
parison to other land-areas of equal size. I do not hesitate to say that the section embraced be- 
tween the 114:th and llGth degrees of longitude, limited latitudinally by 30° 30' on the .sonth, and 
39° 30' on the north, bids fair to develop and supply more of the precious metals than any 
similar-sized area covered by our survey. 

The minerals found are gold, silver, copper, lead, antimony, iron, salt, gypsum, ahini, and 
cobalt; of them all, silver is the most common, and is the princii)al of the precious metals in all 
the different mining camps, while, so far as the knowledge is at my disposal, gold is only noticed 
at the Sacramento, Egan, and Groom Districts, and, e-xcept at Egan, only in small quantities. 

Silver-ore appears in all its known forms, the more common being the chloride and sulphide- 
Sulphide is becoming common and rapidly growing into signiticance as one of the richer classes 
of ore, and many a black-looking rock, that would have been thrown away by the early prospector, 
•s now found to assay as high as $3,()()0 or 84,000 per ton. Copper is found native and in the ore 
n the Potosi and Clarke Districts, and at various points along and near the Colorado l\iver; lead, 
as sulphurets, always more or less argentiferous, in some places appears in immense deposits and 
veins; the.se can all ultimately be worked, and to a good ])iofit ; the ba.se bullion averaging from 
$3.1 to 8-t'O per ton. 

Antimony occurs al-so with the galena, sometimes to so great an extent as to render the free- 
ing of the silver-ore a difficult problem. 

Gyj)sum is found in beds at two places noticed by our parties; one not far from the old emi- 
grant-road, and about midway between Las Vegas ranch and the crossing of the Muddy; and at 
another along Las Vegas Wash. The quality is apparently inferior. 



53 

A wide vein or iron ore was discovered crossing tbe Colorado in tiie midst of Virgin or iJonlder 
Canon. 

Small beds of alum oeenr in some of the side cafions leadin;r down to tlie Colorado in tlie 
vicinity of Virgin Canon. 

Salt ocenrs in deposits as ore in beds and wells. The most remarkable of the deposits is fonnd 
along the Virgin, some five or six miles below Saint Thomas, in a very pnre form, sliowing re- 
markable cnbiiuil crystallizations. There are two very extensive deposits near the bed of the Uio 
Virgen, lying between its month and the entrance of the ^Inddy. Near the former point is a large 
and deep salt well, having its npper surface at a distance of about 00 feet below the mesa bank. 
A large bed of salt is fonnd in Itailroad Valley; this, however, is qnite impure, and only of .service 
in tlie reduction of ores by the roasting i)rocess. Other licds oc<'ni- to the north and cast of the 
route from Cave \'alley to I'reuss Lake. 

But to tbe silver that is to come from these rough ami rugged hillsmust we look tor the tutnrc 
l)rosperity of Southern Xevada, and the hciit'lit. both local and natioMal, that is to be derived there- 
Irom. 

So long as it is known that there is still hope of fmdinga fresh silver deposit, so longwill eager 
and industrious men seek lor it and dig it out, and it now seems ijrohalile that for long years to 
come the annual silver yield of Nevada will be on the increase. 

The most valuable districts in the area above mentioned that have already been discovered are 
Ely, Jlorey, Tim|)ahute, ami I'ahranagat. The first lU'omises the largest results; the second has 
over six thousand tons of ore in sight, of a V(>ry rich finality ; the third has been \ery little devel- 
oped, but has fine surface indications ; the fourth ami last has been developed considerably, and 
shows large veins of low-grade ore. 

The jirospects of the next four years, if they continue favorable, ought to induce capitalists to 
build a railroad line through this country, which will have a tendency to open up mines of the low- 
grade ores, that at the present tinu^ cannot be worked jirofitably. 

rivp:rs, creeks, and sprincjs. 

Of rivers, within tbe area embraced, there are but four, viz, Colorado, Humboldt, Virgin, and 
]\Iuddy. The latter, except in a section bordering upon or in the Great Anu'rican or some other 
desert, would never, even in name, approach the dignity of a river, and in the linal maps will be 
changed to " creek." 

Of creeks, there is an abundance in some localities, in others a remarkable .scarcity ; varying 
greatly in their nature and extent, at sonu^ jdaces contined to the mountains, losing themselves 
before reaching the extremity of the foot-hills; at others stretching farther out only to become 
entirely ab.sorbed after reaching tbe dry plains. 

It is a noti<eable fact that the nmjority of the mountain-ranges show more creeks on their eastern 
slopes, a fact easily exidained from the nu)re frecpu'ut tilling of ihe stiata in that direction, and 
the consequently greater horizontal extension of tiie foot-hills. 

Tbe Colorado and Rio Virgen, in their turn, will receive a succinct de.scrii>tion. Tbe Iluuiboldt, 
better known, needs none. The Muddy so limited in extent, needs only a few words for its source, 
volume, antl course. The present recogiiized source oc<-urs in a nnndier of springs of tepid water, 
near the .southern end of the canon called "Arrow Canon," leading out from Pabranagat Valley ; 
doubtless the.se a<;ain have their source in I'ahranagat liake, which is fed from the ditferent thermal 
spiings that start in the valley of that name, which in turn may be fed from the <lrainage of .Sierra 
Valley, gaining their high temperature in subterranean transit. 

It is not unlikely that similar .sources, flowing throngli other snl)terranean channels, feed the 
springs that act as a source to tiie Muddy, to those of the springs in Tabranagat Valley, yet one 
naturally asks for the outlet of i'ahranagat Lake, that receives streams amounting in all to .t.lKiO 
inches of water. 

The temperature of the springs, so far mentioned, vaiies iVom about 07^ to 04'" Fahrenheit, 
the latter obtaining at "Ash Springs" in Pabranagat \'alley. 

In the itiiH'rary the fact of the waters rising in Spring or Cedar \alley, aliove the -Mormon set- 



54 

tlement of Homer, and, finding their way either on the surface or under ground, to a point some 
four or five miles below West Toiut; this, then, may be looked upon as the source of what might 
be termed the Eastern Branch. The main stream has its confluence with the liio Yirgen about 1 J 
miles below Saint Thomas, the greater part of the water having been absorbed in the excessive and 
careless irrigation of the difterent settlements. 

In the summer season the water remains warm for tlie whole distance. The rapidity of the 
current and the looseness of the soil of its banks give rise to the muddy appearance; hence the name. 

The volume of the flow taken at a point before any of its waters are used for irrigation, will 
at least reach 5,000 inches; tbis amount is carried in a narrow and deep channel, the bed of wliich 
has quite a declivity ; hence the great strength of the current. The course is about south-southeast, 
and its length from Muddy Springs is about thirty-two or thirtythree miles, flowing for the most 
part tbrough a narrow valley, surrounded on either hand by a perfect desert of low sand-hills, 
broken earth, and stony mesa, in the background of which appear the dark and somber mountains 
that rule the horizon supreme. 

A large number of the creeks are formed from the melting of the snows, which, among the higher 
ranges, feed a continuous stream for all seasons of the year. Others have their source in mountain 
springsof pure and limpid water. With hardly any exception the character of the water is very pure, 
except here and there it is rendered stagnant in pools, or alkaline, on account of infiltration from 
the banks. It is very rare that one finds fish in any of these mountain-streams. A few small trout 
were found to the eastward of the Snake range. This does not apply, however, to streams flowing 
from the Humboldt range, that are numerously stocked with an excellent variety of mountain.- 
trout. 

It is believed that the waters of the Muddy contain no fish. 

The great variety of springs, as regards their chemical constituents and thermal conditions, is 
truly surprising, as often in the same valley, within a few miles of eacli other, will be found those 
of the purest and clearest water, and others having various mineral indications aftected by a high 
temperature. This was noticed especially in Steptoe Valley. The most remarkable of the thermal 
springs noted is the one at Elko, which, near the summit of a slight sand mesa, comes boiling out of 
the earth and flows into a reservoir apparently eroded for its reception. The water shows indica- 
tions of sulphur quite largely, and doubtless comes from a great depth. 

From sju-ings of this class to those showing themselves in Pahranagat and Meadow Valleys, there 
are found all varieties, some having quite high temperature and no mineral, and others impreg- 
nated with minerals and but slightly above the ordinary temperature. 

The warm spring near the stage-road, and about midway between Elko and Hamilton, is a 
characteristic s])ecimen of the former sort. A (tontinual mist rises from the surface, even in the 
heat of the day, ami the intermittent thermal action of the waters can be seen at various points of 
the bottom, the water being very clear. Strange enough, there Mere large numbers of small-sized 
fish playing about in these waters, similar in character to the ordinary chub-sucker, but smaller in 
size. The few liouis ]iormitted for our stay at the place did not allow of getting specinuMis. 

The felebrated \'egas Springs are of pure, clear water, very slightly above the surrounding 
temperature. Tiieir bottoms are a whitLsh quicksand that continually changes, continued pressure 
of the water fdrciiig itself to the surface, which iu)w and then in breaking through makes a revolu- 
tion, similar in appearance to what i had imagined for an intermittent flow of lava from an active 
volcano. They are not large in area, but the volume of water will reach as high as 1,.'>00 inches. 
What are called " seej) springs" wiv. now and then found, generally through the aid of Iiulians, at 
l)oints where one would ne\er dream of their presence, especially when discovered, as they often 
are, among basaltic foot-hills, completely desiccated and destitute of vegetation. These, however, 
aftbrd so slight an amount of water that they cannot be depeiuU'd upon for any exigencies of the 
march where iiuiny animals are in the party, and are simi)ly reservoirs for the natural moisture that 
is fouiul along the seams of the rocks composing the mou7itains. Many sjtrings appearing at the 
base of the foot-hills are occasioned by the melting of the snows on the mountains above, that, 
flowing a little distance, disappear, to show themselves again where the surface of the underlying 
rock approaches more nearly that of the soil. 



55 

The waters arisiiiy IVoin the sourees so far described, mostly sink in the valleys before reaeU- 
ing any recognized outlet to carry them to the sea. 

In the basin draining towaid the Colorado, the downfall of its immense watershed reaches 
tliis river largely niiderneath the soil, excei)t where, finding a home in natural depressions, it 
remaius, giving rise to subterranean basins of water that exist in nearly all the mountain 
valleys. 

At what dci)th these sliall be reached, and at what points they are most accessible, are (jues- 
tious tliat require great practical local study. 

Admitting the praetieabilily of reaching these reservoirs, there can be seen in the fntuic some 
relief to these many desert places from the sinking of artesian wells, so soon as the development of 
wealth (followed by population) and industry admit of tlieir intiodiiction. • 

(lOLORAuo i;iv]:i;. 

This stream, magniliccnt so far as length and extent of country drained can make it so, was 
the southern limit of the area embraced by the reconnaissance. 

At the immediate point at which it was reached by our parties, some four hundred or ti\e hun- 
dred yards below the mouth of the l\io Virgen, the current is exceedingly rapid, and the width of 
the river not more than one hundred yards. The water is of a yellowish muddy color, hci<;litened 
at this vicinity on account of the waters received from the IJio Virgen ; the banksare somewliat 
steep, the river having encroached coucavely into a gravelly mesa, the walls of which are from 
filteeu to twenty feet in height. At this point everything is a scene of wild desolation ; rocky 
and rugged mountains of various colors stand out on either side in the most strange anil fantastic 
contour. 

A few miles abo\e this jxiint the river emerges from a slight canon, carved nut as it were 
from the Virgen range that trom this i)oiut follows on to the southward, soon breaking- away into 
low foothills, and then entirely disappearing. 

The Muddy Mountains that, turning to the southwest, cross the Colorado about live or six 
miles below the Kio Virgen, inclose the western and northwestern horizon. A continuation of low 
foothills entirely limit the southern view, with no far distant peaks, betokening rugged or impass- 
able ranges. 

Wo tried to obtain the services of the two Moi'mon lishermen, who inhabited a little hut near 
by, w hose time was divided between catching poor tish and watching a pile of ore from the Salt Klines, 
distant eight or ten miles above, on the Virgin JJiver, to row one or two of us as far as Callville; 
but their companion not being with them, they did not dare to leave their rendezvous, as both would 
be needed in order to bring the boat back. This was the occasion of considerable disappointment, 
as I had hoped to be able to give a i)crsonal inspection to the chances for navigation thnuigh 
Virgin or Boidder (Jafion. 

]\Ir. Gibbons, while I'li route to join the Arizona ass(!inb)y, traxcled by the river from the mouth 
of the Virgin to La I'az, passing through the above canon, as well as the IJlack Canon, in a small 
boat, and he assured me that by far the most formidable hinderauces to navigation were to be found 
in the latter, lie had nw dout»t that a sti'aiuer drawing not more than twenty four inches, with a 
powerful engine, could sui-cessl'ully pass both places, when the river is not swollen by the fresiiets 
occasioned by the melting snows. This cause would impede, if not altogether suspend, navigation 
during the months of April, ]\[ay, and part of June. The irregidarities of the cnricnt an<l the 
amount of water are not materially changed by the rains that occur in .Inly an<l .lanuary. 

Copper-ore was lound near the head of Virgin Canon ; iron-ore, in a canon leading out to the 
river immediately at the entrance to the canon ; while alum-beds were encountered in a small canon 
leading tlown to the livei', about midway of the IJonldcr Cafion. It would lie impossilile to build a 
road from the mouth of the Virgin to Callville in proxinuty to the river. The present one from 
Saint Thomas to the latter-mentioneil point, follows the banks and beds of the Kio Virgen for 
about eight or ten miles, then branches to the southwest over a sand-mesa, and follows winding 
and sandy washes, reaching the Colorado at Callville, a distance of about thirty-live miles. 

Virgin, or Houlder Canon, has been formed by erosion, the sand mesas giving evidences that 



56 

at one period the river-bed was elevated above its present position some four hundred or five hun- 
dred feet. The river widens out somewhat from Callville to the head of the Black Canon, flowing- 
more regularly with less current ; its broader expanse and more regular banks assuming a quiet 
majesty amid its wild surroundings. 

Tlie river-bank was a|)proached by our parties at several points along Boulder Canon, and at 
none of them was there appearance of anj- rapids ; the channel was much narrower and the course 
of the river verj- winding, with the caiion-walls near approached. 

Our route from the mouth of the Vegas Wash to El Dorado Canon took us away from the view 
of the river, the sharp, black peaks of the Black Cauou range showing us, however, its position 
and direction. 

Following down a series of sandy washes from the summit, that having been reached spreads 
out upon our liorizon the sharp outstanding crests of the Black Mountains, aud the valley of the 
Colorado asfiir to the south as the Needles, the river-bank is reached some two or three miles from 
the mouth of EI Dorado Canon, at which point a quartz-mill was in oi)eration. 

Here the banks, the width of the river, and the current, are quite similar to what is found iu 
the vicinity of Camp Mojave. 

The barge being absent down the river, it was impossible to make a trip up the river as far as 
Iioaring Eapids, as had been intended. 

Along the banks of the Colorado, above the head of Cottonwood Valley, as high as our first 
point of approach, there is hardly an acre of land under cultivation ; there is no wood, with the 
exception of now and then a stunted mesquite-bush ; the banks, where they are not the solid walls 
of precipitous cafious, are broken gravelly masses, subject to continual changes by denudation. 
Looking for practical results as regards internal communication alone, one is saddened and disap- 
pointed while examining this great river, so magniticent iu its solitude. 

Particularly here was felt the want of some one with the party who could give entire aud care- 
ful attention to the geology of the many interesting localities where bounteous nature has framed 
the walls npon which so much is written. 

NAVIGATION OF THE COLORADO. 

In the report of the Colorado exploring expedition in charge of Lieutenant Ives, Corps of 
Topographical Engineers, the foot of the Black Canon was denominated as the practical head of 
navigation. The results of later years show that steamers can go as far as Callville, aud the 
itinerary report favors the idea tliat navigation may be carried as far as the foot of the lower main 
or Grand Canon of tiie Colorado. When the local wants of the surroundings of the Colorado 
between the above limits call for water transportation, Aineri(;an industry and energy will soon 
develop the means. 

It would seem to ln', howexei', a matter of some importance that at least a rude hydrographic 
survey should be conducted, as far as circumstances will permit, in an upward direction. Judging 
from information gleaned here and there, this cannot be carried beyond a distance of about fifteen 
miles above the mouth of the Grand Caiion. 

As far as Kl I )()rado Canon, the navigation of the river is i)racticable at all seasons of the year 
with such stcamei s as are at present in u.se. The season of the year is an element which has (piite 
an important inllucnce upon the stage of the river in the caDons, as doubtless, during the lowest 
water, say liirtiic month of December of each year, no matter how light the draughtof the steamer, 
it could not [mss the bars f(irme<l in vicinity of the raiiids; while during the freshets, which occur 
in the spring of the year, ujjon the melting of the snows in the mountains, which give a distance 
of fully fifty feet between high and low water mark, navigation must needs be suspended. 

AVithout a removal of one of the obstructions, the navigation above the foot of the Black Canon 
and to the point mentioned, even for nine mouths iu the year, must be carried on at considerable 
hazard ; steamers towing barges and having a higher i)owcr, drawing less water than those now 
employed by the Colorado Navigation Company, dimensions of which are given in a report made 
by Bvt. Lieut. Col. S. iM. Mansfield to the Chief of Engineers in 1867, can bo used above the foot 
of Black Canon to better advantage. 



57 

RIO TTEGEN. 

This river, having its source in tbe central part of TJtali, flowing southwest for a long distance, 
lined here and there with Mormon settlements, was met by our parties at the mouth of the Muddy, 
some thirty miles above where it enters the Colorado. Its sandy bed, widened by each successive 
freshet, changeable on account of quicksands, carries its channel now to the one, now to the other 
side with a tortuous elasticity, and most of the crossings are uncertain because of changes in the 
banks and beds of quicksand. Tbe volume is not great at this season of the year (October.) Head- 
ing toward tbe Colorado and traveling for five or six miles the famous Salt Mountain is reached, 
noted for its crystals of very pure rock-salt. This is the property of the Ilyko Silver Mining Com- 
pany, and is used by them in their mining operations in the Pabranagat District. 

Some notion had been entertained of freighting the ores from tbis enormous deposit via the 
Colorado and water transportation to a market, but will doubtless bo abandoned, since the expense 
of placing the ore at tbe mouth of tbe Virgin Eiver would be nearly as great as the cost per pound 
of salt at any point where there is a large market. Still following the river and coming to within 
eight miles of its mouth, on the left bank a salt mine is found, not so pure as the crystals found 
and mentioned above, but running as high as 80 per cent., while the other reaches as high as 90 
per cent. 

On an extensive mesa, quite near the mouth of the river, is a salt well apparently of great 
depth, not large in diameter, and having the surface of its water about 40 feet below tbe level of 
the mesa. Tbe water, though very clear, is terribly saline, as is also that found segregated in small 
pools along the river-wash, which " alkalis" animals, as it is termed, so badly that a few draughts 
prove fiital. This well is probably the recipient of drainage, not alone from these pools and the 
bed of tbe river, but possibly from the salt mines themselves. Below this mesa and on the banks 
of tbe fast-flowing Colorado a but was found, inhabited by two ^Mormon flsliermen. Tbey looked 
upon themselves as tbe nucleus of a civilization to be established on tbe banks of the Colorado, 
and by following tbe same active industry evinced in many of their semi-desert towns, they may 
perhaps establish a little settlement here, 

TIMBER. 

The locations at which timber, of any size, can be found throughout Southern Nevada, are few 
in number and of simple description. 

Along tbe Humboldt range, from Camp Halleck to White Pine District, no timber of any size 
or large amount appears. A small mill in Ruby Valley, some ten or tweh'e miles above old Camp 
Ruby, was at work sawing out narrow boards from a variety of short-leaved yellow-pine, something 
between the ordinary scrub and the long-leaved or yellow southern pine; the trunks being of 
irregular size and verj' full of knots. 

On tbe western side of tbe mountains, facing Railroad Valley, from twenty to thirty miles 
below Hamilton and near the source of Currant Creek, several mills had sawed out, for building- 
purposes about the White Pine District, large quantities of a similar kind of lumber, but of generally 
better average (luality. In the vicinity of the Robinson District tbe true yellow-pine is found in 
large quantities, extending over a considerable area on the eastern slope of the Egan range, inter- 
spersed here and there with patches of mountain-fir. 

The next we encounter is to the north and east of the Patterson District, and about eight or 
nine miles distant, near tbe source of Benson's Creek. A small steam saw-mill was at work at this 
place, as also at the Robinson District, upon Murray's Creek. 

Directly to tbe north of tbe Shoshone District, and on the western slope of the Snake range, 
some of the' ravines are thinly studded with pine of good growth, interspersed with fir, also spruce 
and hemlock. Tbe quantity in this locality is not large, but sutUcient in amount for all local pur- 
poses connected with tbe development of the mines in the vicinity. 

Going south on tbe line farthest east, the only timber along the route, prior to reaciiing the 
Colorado, was found in ravines to the south and east of Clover Valley. A small mill was steadily 
employed at this point furnishing lumber for tbe various Mormon settlements within a radius of 
fifty to seventy-five miles. 
8 w 



58 

On Lieutenant Lockwood's route between Cave Camp and the headwaters of the Muddy, 
timber was encountered at three different points : first, about twelve miles below our camp in Cave 
Valley, to the west and opposite to the Patterson District ; second, on the Pahranagat range, in 
the vicinity of the Great Quartz Mountain ; and on the same range, some thirty-five to forty miles 
northwest from West Point. 

The supply is quite large at the first and third points, while 750,000 feet will be the superior 
limit in the vicinity of the Pahranagat mining-camp. The last situation is upon the eastern slope 
of the Spring Mountain range, and nearly fifty miles in a northwest direction from Las Vegas. 
The amount far exceeds that found at any of the other points, and will not be limited by 3,000,000 
feet of lumber. 

The pines are of very large diameter and of extreme lengths. Spruce and hemlock show them- 
selves to a considerable extent. The only black birch and poplar encountered during the trip 
were found in this locality in small cxuantities. 

It will be seen that with the- exception of two instances the timber-patches of this entire sec- 
tion are on the eastern slopes of the mountain-ridges, as it is natural to expect, from the formation 
of the foot-hills. 

Nut-pine and mountain-cedar abound in frequent localities, and will become of great value as 
fuel in many places where now only the former afford the pine-nuts as a sustenance to the Indian. 
These are large enough in many places to act as timbering for the mines. 

It becomes painfully evident that in event of the development of the various mining sections, 
'umber, always scarce, will of necessity command high prices and entail serious hinderance and 
discomfort. This was noticed to a remarkable degree in the early days of White Pine, when lum- 
ber was worth two hundred to three hundred dollars per thousand, allowing the shipment of it by 
rail from the Sierra Nevada to Elko, on the railroad, thence by freighting to White Pine, with large 
profits. 

GAME. 

Southern Nevada cannot be said to be abundant in game in any of its localities. Among 
large game there the deer and antelope are noted. The latter, once abundant in some of the 
valleys, have been driven away by the approach of civilization. Small droves of five or six were 
seen occasionally upon the route, but always at distances out of ordinary rifle-shot. The deer that 
now remain have been hunted to the mountains and ravines by the Indians, and are as rare as are 
the summer rains of this climate. They no longer go in herds, but separate, two by two, to seek 
secure retreats. 

Among the small game are found duck, geese, crane, sage-hen, grouse, quail, jack and cotton- 
tail rabbits. In some sections the duck are very plenty ; especially in Kuby Valley, at Duckwater 
in liailroad Valley ; also in Spring, Snake, and Meadow Valleys. They appear in turn at most of 
the valley locations where there is clear and living water. They were noticed in the greatest num- 
bers among a nest of lakes in the depression of the valley immediately to the eastward of Pat- 
terson District, one of their great breeding-grounds. 

The principal species are the teal, mallard, and canvas-back; varieties of each were noticed, 
the former predominating. Geese, more migratory in their habits, were rarely seen, except upon 
their march for the southward, upon our return, having come from points further north on their 
way to a winter resort. 

Now and then small parties of large sand-hill cranes were encountered, always so shy that no 
success followed any of the attempts to capture them. 

The sage-hen, so well known in Nevada, are found more or less in nearly every one of the 
valleys, and if not too ftir advanced in age make a very good dish for the hungry traveler. 

Grouse only appear high up among the mountains, where timber is found, and hence at very, 
few points. They are perhaps the most delicate eating of any of the small game and the most 
diflicult of capture. 

Quail are not met with until the latitude of about 37° 30' is reached. From this section to the 
southward as far as the Colorado occasionally flocks of small size show themselves. The varieties 
are those known as the ordinary California quail, somewhat smaller than those found in the Eastern 
States. 



59 

Rabbits now and tben occur, but tbej- are annually decimated by the Indians, wbo kill tbein 
constantly and persistently. 

To the sportsQieu duck-shooting offers the most legitimate lieUl for pleasure. 

An ordinary traveler passing through the country and de[>ending upon game for bis food 
would probably starve; even the Indians, the most expert and incessant of all hunters, are obliged 
to gather pine-nuts, to supply in a great measure the necessity for food. 

MOUNTAIX-ROADS. 

These above latitude 37° are better than the average of Nevada roads, as by skirting the foot- 
hills and keeping out of the low groun<l, where the presence of alkali is neai'ly always noticc<l, 
quite a firm bottom is found. 

Constant travel, however, after a short time wears the road-bed, gi\ing rise to a great amount 
of pulverized material which acts as dust in dry seasons, aiul as mud ui)on the advent uf the rain.s. 
This is peculiarly uoticed along the stage-roads from Elko to White I'iue, wheie much IVcightiug 
has been done. 

Over a road similar to the one following down Steptoe Valley, a march of twenty miles for a 
loaded wagon is accomplished with as much ease as one of fiftceu miles on a route similar to that 
along the valley of the Gila, in Arizona, for instance ; this same ratio may be said to obtain between 
the roads in the section above mentioned and those in Southern California and Arizona, generally. 
Below latitude '-i'^ quite a change is noticed ; sandy washes, broken mesas, and alkali siiots becom- 
ing more frequent. 

The grades going to the northward also become heavier, and there exists, until the Colorado is 
reached, a more rapid decrease in altitude. This latter is a point of no disadvantage, since the greater 
l)art of the travel, present and future, is liable to be to the southward. A strip nearly parallel to 
the river and to the north and westward may be said to be almost impassable for roads, except in a 
northerly aiul southerly direction, and this only upon taking advantage of winding wa.xhes and 
steep box-cafions. 

The road from Saint Thomas to the mouth of the Virgin, following for a greater part of the 
distance the partly overflowed bed of the river, would likely be nearly impassable during the sea- 
son of the floods. At those times a route following the broken and sandy mesas of the right bank 
must be .sought out. 

It will hardly be possible to get through a decent track for wagons from the lower end of 
i\Ieadow Valley to the settlements on the Jlnddy ; if it is ever done, the first labor will be exces. 
sive, and the resulting road will be but an indilferent one, if passable at all. 

The road from Toano to the mouth of the Virgin is an excelleut one until the lower end of 
Pahranagat Valley is reached ; thence to the headwaters of the Muddy some sandy stretches are 
crossed ; from the latter point until the Virgin River is reached, only a few sandy spots are 
encountered, so that for the whole distance there is not more than forty to forty-five miles of difli- 
cult travel. 

The route traversed of late from Elko via White Pine, Railroad Valley, and Las Vegas is a 
d fficult and desolate one. Some parties pushing out from the lower country have reached the 
Colorado at the mouth of the Virgin, and were obliged to follow as near the river as possible until 
Hardyville was reached before a crossing could be effected. So soon as the connection can be made 
from the mouth of the Virgin to the military road leading to Prescott, a through route of consider- 
able service in the future will be established. 

CAVE IN CAVE VALLEY. 

Our anticipations had been greatly aroused by varied reports of a cave near the Patterson 
Mining District, for the greater part unexjilored, and supposed to be of grand magnitude. Accord- 
ingly, upon arriving in its vicinity and pitching our tents within some three hundred yards, our 
next efforts were toward fitting up a party to make a thorough exploration. We were fortunate in 
securing the services of au old Indian of the Gosiute tribe, named Anzip, who professed a 



60 

tUorougli knowledge of the subterranean windings, and to be conversant also with tlie various 
Indian traditions that attribute strange characteristics to the locality. 

As we gather round the camp-fire dinner he relates to our interpreter in his native tongue the 
various wonders of this underground world. The principal tradition runs that far within the cave 
they come upon a new and grand world where a race of white people live having fair fields and 
flowers, grassy lawns and cool fountains, with a vast profusion of magnificence ; that at one time 
and another the Indians who have ventured within their confines have been taken and made pris- 
oners, never being allowed to return to their tribes. In all during his remembrance six had been 
so taken, and the various lodges mourned their loss and were desirous that some strong power like 
our own should go to demand their return. 

The intense excitement of Auzip's imagination depicted so truthfully upon his swarthy features 
was highly interesting, connected with his earnest and gesticulating manner. When we would 
seem to doubt his re-asserted tale he was so terribly angry that, being afraid that he would abandon 
us as guide, we gave tacit consent to his various narrations. Our old guide " Pogo " has told us 
that within the memory of his mother, now very aged, two squaws had been taken upon entering 
the cave, and, after an absence of four years, were sent back to the outer world, clad in the finest 
of buckskin, covered with hieroglyphics of the race who had for that time held them in bondage. 
They professed to have been well treated and to have lived in a pleasant land. Again two more 
had disappeared in the same way and were never heard from again. 

These and various other stories served to while away the twilight hour of the evening before 
our visit to the above locality. Our party numbered twenty-three, well supplied with all necessa- 
ries, such as candles, ropes, and arrangements for measuring and making a survey. We made an 
early start, and were out of the light of day between six and seven hours. Our measurings made 
the cave no longer than 3,000 feet, and for the last 1,000 feet the novelty had greatly worn away, when 
we found ourselves crawling among the slime of some of the worst imaginable clayey sediment. 
For 700 or 800 feet from the entrance everything was dry, the walls high, and several compart- 
ments were quite interesting ; beyond that the humidity and mud commenced, and upon our return- 
ing to the outer air our persons were more of a curiosity than the cave itself. 

Our guide got aloug very well for about two thousand feet ; then he commenced to get excited 
and bewildered, constantly threading various labyrinths and returning to the place of departure. 
This mistake could have happened to any one, only that we had left marks here and there easily 
to be recognized. 

Every channel was closely examined, and all were found to exhaust in the solid wall of the 
surrounding lime. One deep well was found that apparently extended downward for seventy feet, 
at which point the lead sinker struck either the bottom or a projecting shoulder. 

A plan of the cave, as well as a view of the buttes in which it is situated, will appear in Vol. 
I of the Survey Reports. The sketch indicates that the subterranean opening extends as far aa 
these buttes, which are situated some three or four miles from the high peaks of the adjacent 
Schell Creek range. 

We came out and returned to our camp, weary, covered with mud and slime, and with every 
particle of romance eliminated from us, and to wonder that there ever could be a race so imagina- 
tive and speculative in everything that is absurd as the Indian. 

EOUTE TAKEN BY EMIGRANTS PERISHING IN AND NEAR DEATH VALLEY. 

These parties, consisting of as many as forty wagons and one hundred and fifty souls, having 
crossed the plains and reached Salt Lake, passed to the south and west through some of the Mor- 
mon settlements until the vicinity of Meadow Valley was reached. From this point a INIormon, 
named Bennett, was to guide them through to California. Passing to the westward of Meadow 
Valley, a spring in the foot-hills of the continuation of the Schell Creek range, now known as Bennett's 
Spring, was reached ; from this point the guide seemed to have no definite knowledge of the route, 
and, bearing to the north and west, they wandered on a desert track until the sink of Sierra Creek 
was reached. At this place Bennett entirely deserted them, leaving behind him no information, 
aud the parties themselves at a poor and sterile camp, while he returned to some of the settlements, 



61 

where he is still living. Starting out from Sierra Creek, and traveling nearly due west, they wan- 
dered over the mountain desert, traveling for the most part well down in the valleys, not realizing 
that more frequently the water must bo sought up among the foot hills. Sutfering soon arose, and 
the large party broke up into several small ones, wandering hero and there until the men, exhausted 
by thirst and fatigue, and the animals for the wautof sustenance and water, the great Death Valley 
of Southwestern Xevada made for them a grave. 

Chance parties of prospectors and explorers have found the bones of the men and animals and 
remnants of the wagons at desert points as far to the southwest as Death Valley proiier, in Cali- 
fornia. Iron tires taken from the old wheels were found by us at the mines in Meadow Valley 
and at Las Vegas Eanch. 

An old Indian once told our interpreter that he had followed after the parties, wishing to give 
information in regard to the springs, but that they were much afraid of him and would not let him 
come within hailing distance, preferring to perish in the rough, wild desert rather than trust them- 
selves in the hands of the treacherous Indians. Their loss is a sad example of the misfortunes of 
mountain travel, where, with no one to lead, and no prior knowledge of the country, parties may 
meet with the most iutense hardship and suflfering, if not, as in the above case, the most wretched 
of deaths. 

OLD SALT LAKE EOAD. 

This was crossed by us in the field of our explorations at two points, one a little below West 
Point, on the INIuddy, the other at Las Vegas Ranch. 

This road, so much used at one time in the wiuter season by the Mormons in freighting into 
Southern Utah, is long, and sandy in the extreme. The stretches between waters from the Cajon 
Pass to Saint George are long and tedious, and the camps, at which grazing and wood are scarce, 
numerous. Its former uses no longer obtain, as it is fouud much cheaper to freight to the most 
remote and southern settlements in Utah from the Central Pacific Railroad. 

Callville was established with the hoi)e that water-facilities might lighten the extravagant 
prices of all supplies freighted in by land from the California coast, but before the completion of 
even a landing or a store-house, was abandoned. 

ROUTES TRAVERSED BY MORMONS IN 1857. 

The Mormons, looking forward to active operations with the troops ordered to their section 
under General Johnston in 18.57, and for secure shelter in case of being driven from their mount- 
ain homes, sent out two expeditions to seek for fertile mountain retreats to the westward. 

One party, consisting of twenty-six wagons, leaving Beaver City passed west to Hawawah 
Springs, then across Desert and Lake Valleys, until the pass where the Patterson mines now are 
was found. 

Beyond this point the route was the same as the one followed by our parties from Steptoe Val. 
ley, which inviting valley having been found by them, they returned upon nearly the same route. 

The other party, leaving the settlements further to the south along the valley of the Upper Rio 
Virgen, made their way into what is now known as Meadow Valley, thence to Pahranagat Valley, 
and, passing to the northward, reached Sierra Valley, an uninviting situation ; thence they found 
their way to the tracks of the other parties, and made their return upon them. 

Our return trip from Hawawah Springs to camp in Cave Valley, followed their route very 
nearly. 

MAPS. 

The maps, carefully compiled from the original data, giving details of the topography, will 
appear, "one upon a scale of 1' to six miles ; another, upon a scale of 1' to twelve miles. 

The elevations along a line projected for a railroad to connect the Central Pacific Railroad with 
the Colorado, are shown on a special profile map. 

Great care has been exercised in the topographical details, and the attempt has been made to 
exhibit the light and shade as it actually foils upon the mountains when the sun occupies a position 

* The map upou the 8cale of 1' to six miles has never been pnbiisbed. 



62 

45° from tlie meridian, which improves the appearance of the map, and does not consume the time 
necessary for mathematical hachuring.* 

NAEEOW-GAUGE EAILWAYS. 

Since the writing of my preliminary report in the fall of 1869, much information has been 
gathered and progress made in the introduction of narrow-gauge railways into this country. Sev- 
eral narrow-gauge tracks have been constructed, notably those in Utah reaching from Bingham 
City to a point in Cache Valley at the north ; from American Fork, and to the vicinity of the mines 
in the American Fork Canon ; in Colorado, from Denver to Pueblo, known as the Denver and 
Eio Grande Railway, and from Golden City to Central City, and to Floyd's Hill and Clear Creek 
Canon, These roads prove available and economical. The latter relation applies to their con- 
struction and repair, and to the current expenses of the road. The highest grade reached on the 
American Fork road is two hundred and ninety-six feet per mile. This has been found practicable 
with ordinary traction-engines. Considerable has been written as to the utility of introducing 
narrow-gauge roads as a means of transit for passengers and freight. Nothing definite appears 
to have been decided upon as to the width of track, size and power of engine, accommodations for 
passengers, the capacity of freight-cars, &c., most desirable to answer all the wants of a varied 
travel and trafiflc. It is a notable sign of the spirit of the times, however, that the Erie Eoad, long 
run upon the wide gauge similar to that first introduced into England, where latterly with success 
narrow gauges have been introduced, has made arrangements to change its gauge so that it may 
be uniform with the ordinary broad-gauge roads of the countiy. In my belief, the introduction of 
this class of tracks, not exceeding three feet in width, with rolling-stock to match, will mark an 
era of competition among lines of transportation most beneficial to interior commercial interests. 

WHEELEE'S PEAK. 

This name has been given to the most elevated point of the Snake range, which is one of the 
highest crests between the Sierra Nevada and Wahsatch. It was found by careful barometric 
observations to be thirteen thousand and sixty-three feet above sea-level ; corroborated by angles of 
elevation taken from points whose altitudes were determined barometrically, thereby checking errors 
that are likely to arise from the use of bai'ometric results at such large altitudes. Some peaks in the 
Uintah range, I am informed, have been found by the geological survey of the 4;0th parallel to 
exceed fourteen thousand feet ; others on the Humboldt range approximate thirteen thousand feet, 
but none are found to exceed that height. 

Our party, consisting of Eev. Mr. White, acting geologist, State of Nevada ; Lieutenant Lock- 
wood, Messrs. Hamel and Eahskopflf, and the guide, Mr. Buttertiekl, all succeeded in reaching the 
top on the morning of the second day, having left camp at Itattlesuake Springs at 2 p. m. Messrs. 
White, Lockwood, and myself reached the summit at 8 p. m. same evening, but were obliged to 
return to the limit of vegetation for food and fuel. 

Meteorological observations were taken during the day, as well as those for time and latitude ; 
the latter have doubtless seldom been attempted at a greater altitude. The party by mutual con- 
sent, and at the suggestion of Professor White, proposed that hereafter this point should be called 
Wheeler's Peak,t which name has been adopted upon the map. 

EEPOET OF LIEUT. D. W. LOCKW^OOD. 

Headquarters Department op California, 

8a7i Francisco, Cal, January 25, 1870. 
Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of special reconnaissances made under 
my charge, in compliance with instructions received from you at various times during the progress 
of your exploration from the White Pine mining district to the Colorado Eiver, and return ; the 

* Several manuscript maps have been prepared, the iuformatiou upon which has been introduced upon the later 
atlas-sheets or may bo made available in further publications. 

tThis peak has been called indiscriminately, on published maps, Union or Jefl' Davis Peak. 



63 

first bciug from Cave Valley, near Patterson, to the Muddy Kiver via Ilyko, and undertaken in 
obedience to the following order : 

Camp neaii Cave, Cave Vai-lev, Nevada, 

Jui/uet 31, 1860. 
Special KieUl Orders, } 
No. 10. i 

Lieut. D. W. Lockwooil, United States Eiigineer.s, will proceed from tlie Cave iu Cave Valh^y to make a careful 
reconnaissance of the country due .south, passinj; through Paliranagat Valley to .Saint Thomas, at junction of Virgin 
and Muddy Rivers. Mr. Kahskopll' will act a.s topographer. The ambulance driven by Davis and the heavy wagon 
driven by James Kelly will accompany him. The following-named 8(ddiers will act as escort, &c. : Corporal .Vugustino 
Myers, Company H, Eighth United States Cavalry ; Privates William Ranisay and Otto Behrend, Company I, Twelfth 
Infantry, and Marion Minnol, Edward Leach, Edmund Wildenmuth, Charles M. Jones, James .Smith, John Kelly, and 
Francis JohnsoD, Company H, Eighth United States Cavalry. 

Geo. M. AVuEELEn, 

Lieulettanl of Emjineers. 

A.S directed, I left camp at the Cave on the morning of the 1st of September, 1869, and taking 
a southeasterly course, crossed the Egan range of mountains through a somewhat high and dillicult 
pass, entering Sierra Valley near Buttertield Springs, at which place the first camp was made, dis- 
tant about twenty-one miles from the camp at the Cave. 

The SieiTa Creek takes its rise near this point, and is fed by a series of springs, some cold and 
others warm, which break iu the foothills on the western slope of the Egau mountains. The warm 
springs are about one mile south of the fir.st camp. 

The country iu this vicinity is of a very alkaline character, and the creek, after continuing for 
twenty-five or thirty miles down the valley, sinks ; its whole course being marked by a heavy 
growth of tales. The sink varies in locality at diftorent seasons of the year, being due to the 
varying quantity of water sui)plied by the springs. The original bed of the creek extends for 
some distance below where there are any indications of water Laving been within a recent time- 
The road down the valley .skirts along the foot-hills, and, crossing the dry bed of the creek, passes 
over a low divide, entering Coal Valley. There are few iiulications of a road leading from the creek 
to the divide, however, w hile a clear and distinct track leads oft' to the left through a perfectly 
desert valley, about thirty miles in extent. E3' reason of some misuiulerstanding of the directions 
given by the guide, the latter-mentioned road was taken, and the result was that, after making a 
niiirch of over thirty miles, a portion of the train was at Piiitterlield S])riiigs again, and tlie remain- 
der at the sink, having been compelled to turn back, the mules having giveu out, so that the heavy 
wagon was left in the desert twenty-five miles away. This march occupied two days, and was 
made witlnnit forage or water for the animals. 

The next move was down the course of the creek, and liom thence across country to the main 
road leading to Simmoud's Springs. This latter course is undoubtedly the best one for wagons 
not too heavily loaded, as the distance from Butterfidd Si)rings to Simmond"s Springs is too great 
a distance tor one day's march by the regular road, and, although the way by the creek is a trifio 
greater, the distance between the watering-places is less. Simmond's Spring is of very little account 
during the summer, as the supi)ly of water is very limited and of poor quality. 

From this point the road turns otf somewhat to the west, and, crossing a broken range of mount- 
ains by an extremely dithcult pass, comes out into Pahranagat Valley, the upper portion of which is 
nothing but a heavy sandy wash. 

Owing to the many delays that had already occurred, it was not until late iu the night of the 
9th of September that the whole jiarty had arrived at HyRo, wiiich by regular marches, with every- 
thing iu good order, ought to have been accomplished in four days. 

HYKO. 

The village of Hyko is situated near Ilyko Spring, and contained at this time from two hun- 
dred and fifty to three hundred souls, including the miners at Silver Canon. The population 
varies continually with the mining excitements springing up in ditVerent parts of the State. The 
same might be said of the town it.self, as at the breaking out of the White Pine excitement houses 
were taken to pieces and tran.sported entire to the latter place. 

The Hyko Silvfer Mining Company owns nearly all the mines iu the district, and has erected a 



64 

fine ten-stamp mill, with all the modern improvements, for milling silver-ores. The supply of water is 
ample, and the only disadvantage connected with the mining interests of this district is the distance 
of the mines from the mill, which cannot probably be obviated. 

The mines are located to the east of Great Quartz Mountain, and extend in an almost continu- 
ous line of cropping for the distance of five miles to the south. The ore is generally of a rather low 
grade, but can be obtained in almost any quantity, so that in case the cost of milling can be reduced 
to a reasonable figure, there is every prospect of success for the company, which has done so much 
to develop the interest, in every respect, of the district and surrounding country. The distance 
from the mines to the mill is about twelve miles. 

The ranches, lower down the valley, furnish forage and provisions sufficient for the maintenance 
of a much larger settlement, and prices are consequently very reasonable. 

Plenty of timber is found in the vicinity of Great Quartz Mountain, and the foot-hills on either 
side of the valley are, as a general thing, covered with a fine growth of bunch-grass. 

So much time having already elapsed since leaving the Cave, it was not deemed advisable to 
make a longer delay here than was positively necessary ; for this reason, I was unable to visit the 
mines, and on the morning of the 11th started down the valley, passing Crystal Spring, estimated 
to flow one thousand five hundred inches; Ash Spring, two thousand inches ; and at night camped 
at a point on the road a short distance above the lake, near a small spring of brackish water. 
Throughout the day the road had led by a succession of ranches which all appeared to be in a 
thriving condition ; barley, wheat, potatoes, and melons being the principal pi'oductions. The 
valley is from three-fourths to one and one-half miles wide, and in consequence of the great supply 
of water from the various springs along its whole extent, and the steady fall to the south, irrigation 
is rendered comparatively easy. The lower portion of the valley is much more alkaline than near 
the village, while below the lake, which is very strongly alkaline, there is very little cultivatable 
laud. 

Coyote Springs were reached on the evening of the 12th, but a delay of one day was rendered 
necessary in consequence of the heavy character of the road, part of the load of the heavy wagon 
not getting into camp until the night of the 13th. At this place very little grass was to be found, 
and that of a character not suited to what was needed for animals that were so reduced as those in 
the train were by this time ; the water was of a very poor quality, being stagnant, of a greenish 
color, and filled with insects and tadpoles. A very curious feature of these springs is that in the 
different holes that have been dug on the slope where the springs are located, the water does not 
stand at the same level, although in some cases the holes are separated only by a distance of ten 
feet and even less. 

The next march was to what are termed the Pockets, the water being that which has fallen 
during the rainy season and collected in a narrow canon, through which the wash from the Hyko 
Lake to the Muddy runs ; it was very muddy and literally alive with tadpoles. No grass whatever 
was found here. 

The next day's march was to West Point, on the Muddy Eiver, over a rough mountain road 
and through heavy sandy washes. The road passes around Arrow Canon, leaving it to the right. 
This canon is one through which the main wash runs, and is so named from the fact that the Indians 
of this vicinity, in passing through it, always shoot an arrow into a cleft in the rocks high up, for 
some superstitious reason that I was unable to learn. 

The road after reaching the valley of the Muddy is good until reaching West Point, four miles 
farther down. 

There can be no doubt but that the real headwaters of the Muddy Eiver are at and near Hyko, 
as the heavy wash from Hyko Lake down to the Muddy Springs shows that formerly a considerable 
body of water must have passed down to the Colorado Eiver by this course. 

There are also indications of water existing at no great depth in several places along the dry, 
gravelly bed of the wash, as shown by willows growing and remaining green during the extreme 
heat of the summer. The temperature of the water at Hyko Spring is about 78° Fahrenheit, while 
at the Muddy Springs it is 87°. 

Upon leaving camp at the Cave it had been deemed certain that a junction would be effected 
with the main party before the 15th September, and in consequence rations had been taken for only 



65 

fifteen days, so that upon arriving at West Point on the evening of the 15lli the snpplies were 
nearly exbausteil, and no news liad been beard regarding the wbereabouts of your command. 
Scarcely anything in (he way of subsistence-stores could be obtaineil of the Mormons ; their cattle, 
of which they had quite a number, being prized too highly to admit of their ever killing one, uidess 
for some possible reason which, unfortunately for us, was not considered to exist while we were 
there. They had no bacon to sell, and apparently but very little bad ever been in the town, luid 
that brought them by parties traveling south. The only articles, in fact, t'lat could be obtained were 
water-melons and squashes. 

WKST roiNT 

is situated about live miles down the valley from .Muddy Si)riugs, on a low mesa near the river. The 
houses as a general thing are made of small willows wattled together. The inhabitants appear to 
be of the lowest class, and but little superior to the Indians of the vicinity, so far as genera! cleanli- 
ness is concerned. They cultivate the bottomlands near the town and use the upper portion of the 
valley for grazing. The crops did not appear to be very large, but will increase iu time by cultiva- 
tion, as the alkali iu the soil, iu tliis way is, to a certain extent, eliminated. No potatoes to .>^peak of 
have as yet been grown at this settlement. 

On the morning of the IGth September we left camp at West Point and proceeded down the 
valley, the road running near the river until reaching a point about four miles below, where the road 
from Salt Lake to Los Angeles crosses the Muddy. Here the river runs through several narrow, 
precipitous canons, and the road passes around through the hills. The sand was so deep and heavy 
that the wagon had to be jiartly unloaded, and even then, after ]iroceeding alxmt half a mile, the 
mules gave out completely, and 1 was reluctantly com[)elk'd to turn back and encamp near the river, 
at which place we were wiien. in tlie afternoon ujuju your arrival, you assumed command. 

KKCAPITULATION. 

ROADS. 

The road from the Cave to the Muddy Jiivcris quite practicable for wagons not heavily loaded, 
and the journey can be made readily enough in seven or eight days provided the animals can have 
grain. At most of the places grass can be found, although in some instances, as at Simmond's 
Spring, it is sonu> distance from where the camp woubl usually be made. The hardest marches are 
from the slough of the Sierra Creek to Simmond's Si)ring, and from Coyote Sjuing to the Muddy. 
The pass to the north of Uyko is very diflicult in places, but by partly unloading and making an 
extra trip, the march may be accomplished. The heavy sand below Uyko Lake will always render 
this portion of the route very severe, as the steady, coustant strain uiioii the teams soon tells upon 
them. 

WATEB. 

At Butterfield Springs, along Sierra Greek, throughout Uyko N'alley, and at the Pockets, 
(generally,) there is plenty of water. At Simmond's and Coyote Springs there is usually suflicient 
for only eight or, at most, ten animals, and in case of much travel not enough for that number, as 
the water only collects slowly. There is more or less alkali at all the places mentioned, and it has a 
very bad etfect upon animals not accustomed to drinking water im)>regnated with it. 

GRASS. 

The ordinary bunch variety is found generally throughout the whole route, growing in nearly 
all cases upon the foothills, iu some instances at a considerable distance from the camps. The 
whole cour.se of Sierra Creek afl'ords plenty of grass, but it is of an alkaline character, and, to 
animals unaccustomed to it, furnishes very little sustenance. At Simmond's Siuings none was 
found, although 1 was told there was bunch grass within a mile or two. Throughout Uyko Valley 
there is an abundance, but alkaline and quite poor. At Coyote Springs there is very little, and at 
the Pockets none whatever. The grass throughout the valley of tin- :\Iuddy is similar to that in 
Uyko Valley. 

1) AV 



66 

AVOOD. 

TLe pass tbrougli tbe Egau range sllo^ys a considerable growtb of uut-pine and scrub-cedar ; 
tbe same is true of tbe pass to tbe nortb of Hyko, and generally of tbe mountains along tbe wbole 
route, altliougb tbe amount is less as progress is made toward tbe soutb. Pine timber, suitable for 
sawing, is found upon tbe bigb peak near tbe mill, in the Egau Pass, and to tbe west of Hyko, a 
sb'ort distance from tbe mines. Tbe Mormons obtain tbeir timber, to a certain extent, from a place 
about forty or fifty miles from tbe Pockets ; tbe road leading tliereto brancbes off to tbe west at a 
poiut a little to tbe nortb of tbat place. 

CULTIVATAHLE LAND. 

But very little land fit for cultivation was found before reacbing Hyko, altbougb, possibly, one 
or two bundred acres near Butterficld Spring migbt be so classified. Tbrougbout nearly tbe wbole 
extent of Ilyko Valley, for about twenty-five miles below Hyko, tbe land can be farmed profitably, 
and as tbe valley is from a balf to one and a balf miles in widtb, tbere is a very fair cliauce for 
successful rancbing. 

Tbe valley of tbe ]\Iuddy can be cidtivated in several places, altbougb tbe upper portion is very 
alkaline. At present only a portion of it, in tbe vicinity of West Point, is tilled. 

Astronomical observations were taken from time to time, wbea possible, for latitude and 
longitude. 

Barometrical observations were taken tbrougbout tbe trip. 

Sbould it ever be deemed necessary to establisb a military post in tbis part of tbe country, the 
most eligible location would, in my opinion, be in Hyko Valley, as it possesses all tbe requisites for 
tbe establishment and maintenance of a post. 

Kespectfully submitted. 

D. W. LOCK'^'OOD, 

Lieutenant of Engineers. . 
Lieut. Geo. M. Wheeler, 

United States Engineer Officer, department of California, San Francisco, Cal. 



Headquartees Departivlent of California, 

Sa7i Francisco, California, January 25, 1870. 

Sir : I have tbe honor to make tbe following report of a trip from Las Vegas Eancb to Po.tosi, 
in tbe Yellow Pine District, undertaken in compliance with verbal instructions received from you 
a few days previous. 

On the morning of tbe 12tb October, 1SG9, I left camp at Las Vegas, taking one ambulance 
and three men, and ]\Ir. Ilamel, topographer. The road taken was the old Salt Lake road, running 
in a southwesterly direction until reaching a point about five miles from Potosi, when tbe trail 
leading to the latter place branches off to the soutb. The first night's camp was made at the Cot- 
tonwoods, a spring at the head of Las Vegas Wash. These springs rise and sink at several places, 
and receive their name from the cottonwoods growing near. The next day's march took us to Potosi. 

roTOSi. 

This camp was established some years previous to the date of our arrival, and traces of former 
habitations were visible all around ; (be original settlement was said to have been broken uj) by 
tbe Lidians. 

A smelting-furnace bad formerly been erected, but failed, in consequence of the operators not 
understanding tbe proper method of separating the i)recious metal (silver) from the complication of 
base-metals which exist in the ore taken from the priiu.-ipal mine worked, namely, the Old Potosi. 



G7 

Ouly one small spring is found here, iusiitticieut for supply of a mill. Tiie present locators of 
claims in this district were at work on tbe Potosi mine, wliicli was visited and found to be a regu- 
lar, welldcliiied li'(l;;o, situated lii^li upon the western slope of the mountains. The ledge crops 
out from an almost perpeiidieiilar clilV, and shows a width of ten or twelve feet, and has been 
Stripped for about live hundred feet. The ore, which consists of galena, antimony, arsenic, and 
silver, occurs in large, irregular masses, in some cases beautifully crystalliz.ed, and assays, by actual 
working, about six hundred dollars in silver to the ton. Some oC the oie had, I believe, been .sent 
to the lead-works in San ri'auciseo, and there reduced. 

Other claims had been located in the district, but none of them had been opened sutliciently 
to enable one to define their character, .so far as formntion was concerned. The few miners engaged 
here were taking out the galena ore in quantities sullicient to snpi>ly a furnace all the time, and, 
although their receii>ts in money amounted to practically nothing, they seemed confident of suc- 
cess, which, under the most favorable circumstances that may occur, must be regarded as a ques- 
tion admitting of a great deal of doubt. Supplies have to be hauled a long di.stance, over the 
worst kind of roads, and the want of water necessary for carrying on operations on an extensive 
scale will always be a great drawback here. 

Wood in great abundance is found on the mountain slopes in the vicinity, principally nut-pine. 

Bunch grass grows near at hand. 

The next morning we started back for Las Vegas, taking tbe same road as before, arriving at 
the Cottonwoods in the afternoon, and receiving information that two .soldiers had deserted from 
Las Vegas. I went on that night, and reached camp about midnight, when I di.seovered that Pri- 
vates Murran and Leach had deserted on the morning of the 14tb, and taken with them five aui- 
maLs, the best ones left at that time. Pursuit was ordered, but the worn-out condition of the horses 
and mules would not allow of our overtaking them. 

llespectfuUy submitted. 

D. \V. LOCKWOOD, 

Lieutenant of Enginccin. 
Lieut. George ^1. Wheelek, United States Emjinccrs, 

Head'piarters Department of Cali/ornin, San Franciseo, California. 



SiK: 1 have tbe honor to submit the following report of a trip from Quiuu Canon to Monte 
Christo Mill, via Keveille, Hot Creek, and Morey Mining District, made by me in compliance with 
verbal instructions received from you Xovember 12, ISGO. 

As directed, I left camp at Quinn Canon in the afternoon of the above-mentioned day, and en- 
camped that night at Ited Blutf Springs, the northeastern corner of Lincoln County, Nev. The 
ne.xt morning the odometer-cart, driven by Private John Smith, was sent on to Twin Springs by 
the regular road, while :Mr. Pialiskoptf and myself started for PLCveille, taking tbe trail leading 
across the valley. But one wagon bad ever been over it, and that was to take a load of ore to 
Hyko to be reduced ; the track was found to be very sandy. 

REVEILLE, 

situated on tbe Keveille range of mountains, was reached (piite late in tbe afternoon, .so that it was 
found impracticable to visit the mines; such information as I was able to obtain with regard to the 
district was due to the kindness of tbe recorder of the district. There had been at the time about 
lour hundred and sixty locations made, principally contained in a sjjace about six miles in length 
and two in width. The principal locations are near each other, and are all, so far as had tlien been 
determined, deposits. No indication of a lissure-vein or regular ledges had been discovered, and 
generally, the same showing existed here as at White Pine, some of the specimens being almost 
exactly similar to those shown at the latter place, containing born-silver in very con.siderable 
quantities. Tbe principal claims are tbe Park, a.ssaying from ■i'SOO to .■?I,tOO per ton; Desert 



fi8 

Queeu, $500 per ton ; Sweepstakes, Moutrose, Queen of the West, and some others, ranging in value 
from $100 to 8300 per ton. The results given were those obtained by actual milling, the ore being 
carefully selected, as it had to be hauled a considerable distance to the mill. The mines are quite 
high up on the mountains. 

The country rock is dolomitic in its character, without stralilication. Tiie decomposition of the 
feldspar in the porphyritic mountains which surround the dolomitic range in which the mines arc 
located, has caused the formation in several places of beds of alum, some of considerable extent, 
particularly the one a little north of the camp. Water is obtained in sufficient quantity for the 
use of the camp by digging wells near at hand in the porphyry ; a few miles away plenty can be 
obtained. Wood and grass are found a short ^listance away. 

A mill was in process of construction on the opposite side of the valley, to the west. 

On the morning of the 13th we left for Hot Creek, about forty miles away, passing by Twin 
Springs, where the odometer cart was. To this point there is only a trail, and a very difficult one ; 
the main road was hero taken and followed on to ITot Creek, which place was reached about S p. 
m. The valley lying between Reveille and Hot Creek Mountains is a large alkali fiat in places, 
and has a steady fall to the south and east irom Hot Creek, and opens into the valley lying east 
of the Reveille range through a bi-eak in the mountains a little east of Twin Springs. 

HOT CKEEK. 

Very little of anything was being doue at this district beyond rebuilding a teustamp mill, 
which had been partially burned down. The company known as the Hot Creek or Old Dominion, 
which formerly owned the mill, failed some time ago, the ore from the miues worked, namely, the 
Norfolk, Old Dominion, and some others, not paying as soon as any depth was reached. At the 
time, considerable excitement, purely local, however, existed with regard to some mines recently 
discovered in Rattlesnake Canon, about five or six miles to the south ; the principal miues located 
being the Wyoming, Philadelphia, and Pure Metal; some of the ore showing a great amount of 
copper. The specimens shown were not of a character to cause much enthusiasm. One great 
peculiarity of this region is the Hot Spring, from which the town takes its name, situated near the 
eastern opening of the steep caQon, which runs through the mountains at this point. These springs 
flow continuously, the water containing suli)hur ami iron. In some cases, springs of cold water 
are found in close proximity to the hot ones, which appear to break out from between the limestone 
and porphyry. 

MOREY DISTRICT. 

The next day Morey District was reached, situated quite high up in the mountains, about 
fifteen miles to the north of Hot Creek. The weather was very severe here, particularly at night ; 
water freezing, the animals suffered greatly in consequence. 

The mines were visited and carefully examined the next day, and were found to be true tissure- 
veins, with nearly a uniform dij) and strike, the former being i5° to 50° to the east, the latter 53° 
west. 

Considerable more had been done here; shafts had been sunk to different depths, running 
down generally on the inclines, the character of the ore remaining nearly unchanged, the amount 
in sulphuret, however, increasing. The ore is of a soft, friable nature in most cases, composed of 
bromides, chlorides, and sulphurets, the chlorides being found principally in pockets. The base 
metals arc iron pyrites, and some antimony. 

The Magnolia and Eagle are the two principal miues, and in these the soft, friable nature of 
the ore is particularly noticeable ; in those cases where much pyrites is found the ore is harder 
and more compact. 

The mines arc situated in a small hill at the foot of a high peak, and the veins can, in places, 
be traced by croppings for several hundred feet along the surface. Assays have been made ranging 
from 8300 to 81,100 per ton, although tiie milling value of the ore does not, as a nmtter of course, 
run so high. Water is obtained near at hand from springs, ami I think that by constructing a dam 
across the narrow canon, snfiBcieut could be obtained to supply a mill during most of the year. 



09 

Wood and grass are louiid near the camp. 

Chinese miners are employed here, and are found to get along very well ; their expenses of 
living being much less than those of white miners, the wages are consequently smaller. 

On the morning of the ITtli we left for iSIonte Christo Mill, taking a trail across the mountains 
to the ro..d running frcm Hot Creek to White Pine, and encamped at night at Sand Springs. Next 
day went on to Yokum's, passing Duck Water, a settlement of eonsiderahle size; the creek of the 
same name has its origin in a large spring north of the road, and spreads out over a large tract of 
land, where hay in great (piantities is cut each year, most of it finding a ready market at White 
Pine. From Duc'c Water on, the road, after breaking through a low range of mountains, turns 
north into the valley which you passed through on your way from Quinn Canon. 
Respectfully suhmitteJ. 

D. W. LocKWOoi), 
First Lieutenant, Corps of Engineers, 
Lieut. Geo. M. Wheeler, 

First Lieutenant Corps of Engineers, 

ncadqiiarters Department of California, San Francisco, California, 



TABLE OF DISTANCtlS. 



'1'aui.i; No. 1. — Dinhinccs j'lom 'I'oaiio, on Central Pacific Hailroad, to Vreicott, Ari:., via Eijan Cai'ioii, MnrrnijH Crctk, antl 

Mouth of Virgin liiver. 



Camps and stations. 



Toano 

Esan Canon, (estimated) 

Murray's Crcok, (estimated) 

lee Creek 

The Cave 

Jlutterlield Springs 

Sink of Sierra Creek 

Sininiond's Spring 

Hvko 

Camp near Pabrauagat Lake 

Coyoto Springs 

Water Canon 

West Point 

Saint Thomas 

^loutli of Virgin 

Yuma Creek, (estimated) 

Peacock .Springs, (estimated) ... 
Fort Rock S)iriugs, (estimated) , 

Camp TollGato 

Prescott 



HileH. 



80.00 
40.00 
IP. Iff 
98.60 
20.92 
Ifi.07 
31.67 
VJ. 1-2 
26.77 
90.47 
19.09 
16. .17 
26.10 
25.25 
33.00 
34.00 
2.1.00 
35.33 
42.93 



Miles. 



120.00 
136. 16 
164. 96 
1S5. 88 
90-1 53 
934.92 
2.13. 34 
280.11 
300.58 
320.27 
336.84 
362. 94 
3j<8. 19 
423. 19 
4.17. 19 
480. 19 
515. .12 
S5&45 



Ilemarks. 



Station on Central Pacitle Kailroad. 
Mining camp on overland rond. 
Fine camp; plenty water, wood, and grass. 
Goo<l camp; plenty water, wood, and grass. 
Fine camp: good gracing ; pure water. 
Wator, giKxl grazing ; no wood. 

Do. 
Water, short Hui)i)ly; little huncb-gra^s; no wood. 
Alining town; gou<l aceomniodalion. 
Water and grass ; wood scArce. 
Alkali water; little grass; no wood. 

Do. 
Oood camp; wood scarce; water and grass plenty. 
Mormon settlement; gooil accommodation. 
Scant grazing: little wood ; i>oor place. 
Not known. 

Grazing good : water excellent ; line camp. 
Grazing and water good; wood sc.ircc. 
Cavalry camp; tine accommodation. 
Mining town of considerable size. 



Note. — In case further developments prove that the distances marked " estimated " iu the 
above table are on feasible routes, t\w. above line of communication will be the practicable one of 
the future for through travel from Central Pacific liailroad to Northern Arizona. All distances, 
except those markeil " estimated,"' were measuretl during the trip. 



70 

Taisle No. 2. — Dititanccs from Elko, on Central Facijic Itailroad, to I'rcscott, Jri:., via White Vine, lUiilroad I'aUtij, (jiilnn 

Cunou, Indian S2)rin(/, Las Vegas, and HardyviUc. 



Camps and stations. 



Miles. 



Miles. 



Keniarks. 



Klko 

Cresceut Station 

"Willow Creek 

Camp V 

CanipYI 

t)verlan(l-roa'l station 

Warm Springs 

UigTeut 

Monte Christo ilill 

Vokiim's Station 

Currant Creek 

Butterfield Eanch 

Bi^ Creek 

Qiiinn Caiion 

Penoyer Spring 

Shafer Springs 

Crescent Mill 

Summit Spring 

Quartz Spring 

Indian Spring 

Corn Creek 

Tiile Springs 

Las Vegas 

EI Dorado Canon 

Hardj-ville, (estimated) . . 

Alexander's Camp 

First Water, Union Pass. 

Union Spring 

Coyote Spring 

Beale Spring 

Hualapaia Spring 

Natural Tanks 

Cottonwood 

Camp "Willow-Crove 

Fort Bock-Spring 

Anvil Bock 

Oaks and "Willows 

Camp ToU-Gate 

Deserted Bancli 

Lee's Boncb 

Prescott 



7.83 




10.09 


23.92 


17. IC 


41.08 


le. 10 


57.18 


4.74 


01.92 


13.15 


75.07 


21.10 


96.17 


26.10 


123.27 


17. 02 


139. 89 


19.27 


159. 16 


16.41 


175.59 


25.30 


200. 89 


19.83 


220. 72 


24.39 


245. 11 


9.06 


254.17 


7.15 


261. .32 


27.15 


288. 47 


21.32 


309. 79 


27.74 


337. 53 


20.87 


358.40 


11.46 


369. 80 


12.20 


382.06 


44.83 


420. 89 


55.00 


481. 89 


1.71 


483. 60 


1?.09 


495. 69 


1.46 


497. 15 


15. 91 


513. 06 


1.92 


514. 98 


14.38 


529. 36 


12.82 


542. 18 


8.31 


550. 49 


3.99 


554. 48 


10.21 


564. 69 


16.20 


680. 89 


8.06 


588. 95 


11.05 


600. 00 


16.30 


616. 30 


13.82 


630. 12 


11.35 


041. 47 



Station on Central Pacific Bailroad. 

Ranch; wood, grass, and water; good accommodation. 

Do. 

Do. 
"Wood, grass, and water. 
Telegrapb-station ; good accommodation. 
Banch ; no wood ; good accommodation. 
Stage-station ; no extra water ; poor accommodation. 
Quartz-mill ; grazing and water. 
Bull Creek ; no grass or wood. 
No station ; no grazing or wood. 
Hay-ranch ; no wood ; fair accommodation. 
Water one and one-half miles to east of road ; no wood. 
Toll-gate ; ranch, and good accommodation. 
Small station ; little grazing, good water, no wood. 
Water two miles from road ; good grazing, no wood. 
Quartz-mill; water scarce, grass scarce, wood plenty. 

Muddy water— enough for tifteen or twenty animals ; little bunch-grass ; no wood. 
No wood or grass ; water for sis or eight animals. 
"Water pure, but warm ; little wood, scant grazing. 
Salt-grass, fair water, no wood. 
Good water, no wood, no grazing. 

Banch ; good accommodation ; salt-grass ; forage can be bought ; no wood. 
Xo grass, no wood ; poor place. 
Small town on Colorado ; grazing and wood scarce. 
"Water, little wood, no grass. 
Water, grass, no wood ; foir camp. 
"Water ; no wood or grass. 
"Water, wood, and grass. 
Fine water ; too limited for camping. 
One-half mile to right ; water bad ; good grass. 
"Water in rainy season ; very little wood ; poor camp. 
Cottonwood Creek ; good camping-ground. 
Military post changed to the Toll-gate. 

Boad generally good ; deserted ranch ; water and grass ; no wood. 
AVater and grass ; no wood ; road good. 
Water, wood, and grass ; road good. 
Boad rough ; fine accommodation ; cavalry post. 
Water and wood ; no grass; road good. 
Eanch ; good accommodation. 
Mining-town of considerable size. 



Note.— This route has beeu traveled to some extent in the fall and winter of 1SG9 and 1870, 
principally by small parties of prospectors, going from the vicinities ot Ellco and White Pine into 
Northern Arizona. It presents many difiBcuIties, such as tedious and long marches, .scarcity of 
grass, -water, and wood, and would not be used if there was a point higher up than Hardyville, at 
which a crossing of the Colorado connecting with a road leading through to Prescott could be 
made. Such a point cannot be found before reaching the mouth of the Virgin. 



Taiilk Xo. 3. — Distances from IClkOj on Central Vacific Hailroad, to mOHth of J'i*v/iM, via JVhite Pine and I'ahranagal I'allcy. 



Camps and stations. 



KIko 

Cresceut Station 

Willow Creek 

Ciiinp V 

Camp VI 

Overland-road station 

Warm Springs 

liiRTent 

Monto Cliristo Mill 

Yokum's Station 

Currant Creek 

Silver Canon, (estimated) 

Hyko 

Camp near ralimuagat Lake. 

Coyote Springs 

Water Canon 

West Point 

Saint Thomas 

Mouth of Virgin 



Miles. 



Miles. 



7.83 




16.05 


2.1.92 


17.10 


41.08 


16.10 


:ii. 18 


4.H 


01.92 


13.15 


7.-.. 07 


21.10 


'.10. 17 


20.10 


12i 27 


17.62 


i:». 89 


19.27 


I.-.9. 16 


.M. 00 


214.16 


!l. 50 


233.66 


26.77 


250.43 


20. ■17 


270. 90 


19.69 


290. 59 


16. .'57 


307. 16 


26.10 


333.26 


25.25 


358.51 



Ileniarks. 



Station on Central Pariflc TCatlniad. 

I^nch ; wood, grass, and water; gootl accomniodatiuu. 

Do. 

Do. 
Wood, praK8, and wfttt-r. 
Telegraph Btation ; good accouimodation. 
Rjinch ; no wood; good accommodation. 
Stage station ; no extra water; poor acconimmlalion. 
Quartz mill ; grazing and water. 
Bull Creek ; no grass or wood. 
No station ; no grazing : no wood. 
Alining camp ; wood plenty ; water scarce. 
Mining town in I*ahranagat Valley. 
Good camp ; water and grass jilenty. 
Water bad and in small quantity ; little grass; no wood. 
Water ha*l ; little grass; no woml. 
Mormon settlement; good camp. 

Do. 
Scant grazing ; wood scarce. 



Note. — This is a route lately opened by fixing the grades of a pass near the Grant District, 
thron;;h which the road, bearin*;' to the southeast, comes into Garden Valh'v, thence via Silver 
Canon to Uvko. 



72 



LIST OF CAMPS, &c. 

Geonruphical jMsilioiis from sexlaiit oliscn-atioiis in the fidd fur latUutle and time ; loiigitiidc hij idegraphxc signals : chronometer 

differences, </c., during the year 1669. 



Station. 



Approximate 
longitude. 



CamplIaUeck. 



"Walker's Ranch . 
Elko 



Peko 

Crescent Statiou . 
Willow Creek 



Pearl Creek 

Camp west of Cold Spring . . 

Camp Kuby 

.Slougli, Long Yalley 

Antelope Spring 

Camp near Hamilton 

Murray's Creek 

Ice Creek 

Camp in Cave Yalley 

Benson's Creek 

ClearCreek, Spring Valley. . 

Kattlesnako Springs 

Wheeler's Peak 

Sacramento District 



Snake Creek 

Hawawah Springs 

Source of Lake Creek 

Monument Canon 

"^X'ild Hop Creek, Pioneer 

Canon. 
Sheep Kanch, Cedar Valley . 

Homer, Cedar Valley 

Rose Valley 

Spring below Panacea 

Clover Valley 



Mormon Cafion, Meadow Cr'k 
■West Point 



Koar Saint Thomas . 



Mouth of Rio Virgen. . . 
Mouth of Vegas Wash . 

El Dorado C.iuou 

Las Vegas Ranch 

I ndian Spring 

Mud Spring 

Crescent Mill 

Near Schafer Springs . . 
Quinn Canon 



Alontc Christo Mill . 



115 19 34.05 

115 27 50.61 
115 i:< 3T. 20 

115 30 14. 50 
115 40 14.52 
115 40 49.92 



Latitude. 



40 32.27 
42 2.52 
31 6. 75 
23 14. 25 
27 30. 87 
25 58. 38 
52 13. 05 
50 24. 45 
48 52. C5 
37 20. 01 

23 18.34 

24 18.00 
19 40. 70 
22 4. 35 



114 8 28.55 

113 29 27. 75 

114 8 45.95 
114 27 28.80 
114 20 45.00 

114 20 24.50 
114 10 12.00 
114 15 20.55 
114 25 50.50 
114 13 50.50 

114 27 24.90 
114 34 48.75 

114 19 1.95 

114 22 33. 13 
114 40 .'i7.99 

1 14 39 40. 98 

115 2 49.50 
115 35 33. CO 
115 30 4.40 
115 25 10.40 
115 20 41.36 
115 45 40.35 

115 34 49.20 



40 43 50. 67 
40 49 38. 44 

40 55 46. 35 
40 44 50. 73 
40 31 13.91 

40 17 10. 74 
40 4 1.86 
40 3 38. 63 
39 49 27. 28 
39 25 42. 19 
39 15 48. 87 
39 15 15. 80 
39 2 28. 34 
38 39 00. 69 
38 40 41. 33 
38 50 7. 73 
38 57 21. 17 

38 58 23. 01 
3fl 9 46.08 

39 00 5. 18 
38 28 47. 40 
38 40 38. 45 
38 38 6. 00 
38 23 16. 80 

38 13 48. 00 
38 3 23. 40 
37 54 51. 20 
37 45 27. 07 
37 30 27. 00 

37 10 23. 00 
36 40 33. 56 

30 20 33. 43 

36 8 45. 54 
36 6 34. 85 

35 43 55. 36 

36 11 15. 15 

36 34 1. 04 

37 11 6.88 
37 29 6. 88 
37 33 42. 88 
37 58 18.29 



Altitude 

above 
sea-level. 



Feet 
5, 789. 7 

5, 145. 9 
5, 148. 4 

5, 180. 
5, 438. 3 
5, 518. 5 

5, 965. 1 

6, 273. 1 
6, 152. 6 

6, 215. 6 

7, 201. 
7,601.3 
6,411.2 
7, 084. 2 
6, 460. 8 
6, 004. 6 
6, 022. 5 
6, 038. 2 

13, 036. 

6, 574. 7 

5, 369. 
5, 455. 
5, 464. 
0, 114. 

0, 928. 9 

7, 072. 7 
5, 821. 
5, 401. 
4, 718. 1 
4, 902. 

3, 092. 9 

1, 7.54. 9 

1,000.0 
1,200.0 



Variation 
of needle. 



828.0 

2, 074. 1 

3, 402. 1 

4, 900. 
6, 100. 
6, 186. 

6, 326. 

7, 596. 



No obs'n. 
17 35 3 



17 52 23 

17 27 •- 

16 18 51 

17 12 27 
17 9 4 

16 59 5 

17 00 27 
16 43 29 
16 35 18 
16 35 6 
16 16 13 
16 24 00 
16 26 44 
16 17 54 



16 37 50 
16 39 56 

15 57 42 

16 31 54 

15 59 29 

16 46 26 

17 £0 47 
17 50 9 
16 58 51 

14 25 19 

Xo obs'n. 

15 18 29 



15 47 11 

16 1 5 
No obs'n 
15 8 11 
15 41 29 



Observer. 



Lieuts. "Wheeler 
aud Lockwood. 

Lieut. "Wheeler. . 

Lieuts. "Wheeler 
and Lockwood. 

do 

Lieut. Wheeler.. 

Lieots. "Wheeler 
and Lockwood. 

do 



do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

, do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

Lieut. "Wheeler.. 

Lieuts. "Wheeler 

aud Lockwood. 

do 

do 

do 

do 

Lieut. "Wheeler.. 



do 

do 

do 

do 

Lieuts. "Wliecler 
aud Lockwood. 



Computer, 



Lieuts. AVheeler 
and Lockwood. 

Lieut. Wheeler.. 

Lieuts. "Wheeler 
aud Lockwood. 

do." 

Lieut. "Wheeler.. 

Lieuts. "Wheeler 
and Lockwood. 

do 



do ... 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

....do 

do 

Lieut. "Wheeler.. 

Lieuts. Wheeler 

and Lockwood. 

do 



do 

do 

do 

Lieut. Wheeler. 



Lieuts. Wheeler 
and Lockwood. 
do 



do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

Lieut. Lockwood. 

Lieuts. Wheeler 

and Lockwood. 

do 



do 

do 

do 

do 

Lieuts. Wheeler 
and Lockwood. 



Lieuts. Wheeler 

and Lockwood. 

do 



do 

, do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

Lieut. Lockwood 

Lieuts. Wheeler 

and Lockwood. 

do 



Remarks. 



Longitude by telegraph. 

Single altitude. 
Longitude by telegraph. 

Do. 
Single altitude. 
Do. 

Do. 

Do. 
Longitude by telegraph. 
Single altitude. 

Do. 
Longitude by telegraph. 
Time by eqnal altitudes. 

Do. 

Do. 
Single altitude. 

Do. 
Time by equal altitudes. 

Do. 

Do. 

Single altitude. 

Time by eiiuul altitudes. 

Do. 
Single altitude. 



Time by equal altitudcF, 
Do. 



Time by equal altitudes. 
Do. 

Longitude from dead 
reckoning. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 
Time by equal altitudes. 

Do. 

Time by equal altitudes. 

Time by equal altitudes. 

Chronometer error on San 
Francisco determined 
by telegraph. 




3^ 



ENGhNEl^li DEPARTMENT, U. S. ARMY. 



PRELIMINARY REPORT 



A 1IK(1)NNAIS8ANCE 



TIIUolOIl 



SOUTHERN AND SOUTHEASTEM iNEVADA. 



]M:^DE in 1869 



FIRST LIEUT. GEO. M. WHEELER, Coups of Enginekrs, U. S. AitMV, 

AfiSISTED BV 

FIRST LIEUT. I). W. LOCKWOOD, C"oitf.s of Engixikio, I . .s. Ai!>n, 

I'NDKU THE OHDKIIS (il 



Brig. Gen. K. O. C. OKI). 

avT. UAJ. (;eN. u. ». aumv, 

COMMAKI>ING DKrARTUEXT Of CAI.IFOKMA. 




WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

1875. 



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